The temptation is to open this Introduction with the clichéd “we’re baaaaack”! But, of course, one must avoid temptations such as these in a scholarly journal. So, instead, I will simply state that I am pleased to present this issue and provide a brief update about where we’ve been and where we are going for future issues.
First, I want to acknowledge the tremendous work of Dr. Elaine Coburn who edited the Journal from 2009 – 2014 (initially as co-editor with Dr. Chad D. Thompson). In their inaugural issue, effectively a re-launch of Socialist Studies/Études socialistes, the Editors noted the desire to raise the profile of the Journal. In the years between the re-launch and Dr. Coburn’s last issue, that has certainly been achieved. Interest in the Journal, submissions and readership have all grown. Significantly, since 2006, the Journal has been committed to open source and online delivery to ensure that there are as few barriers as possible to its distribution.
With the growth of the Journal also came “growing pains” and the need to find management mechanisms that could sustain continued expansion of the Journal. With this in mind, we have made some significant “behind the scenes” changes to the Journal. Importantly, we have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Alberta Libraries for hosting/OJS support. The University of Alberta provides this service free of charge and it means that we always have access to the latest, stable version of OJS and continuous technical support. While making the transition, there have been technical “road bumps” and I know not every user enjoys the “OJS experience”; however, it is necessary to manage and produce an online Journal.
With our technical platform in place, it is now time to turn my attention to the regular publication of the Journal and to ensuring that the good reputation established by Dr. Coburn continues into the future. This leads me to one very significant hurdle that I have faced and I know is a challenge for many academic journals today – building a sustainable, qualified database of reviewers. If you are able and willing, please go to the website, www.socialiststudies.com and either login or register to add yourself to our reader and reviewer database. Because of the critical and transdisciplinary nature of the submissions we receive, there is virtually no limit to the range of expertise we require in reviewers. Your support in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
Finally, I wish to close by thanking everyone from readers to authors to reviewers to the members of the Socialist Studies Society for their patience and support as the various transitions have been on-going for the past many months. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, comments and suggestions.
– Dr. Sandra Rein
University of Alberta