Critical Policy Studies brings contemporary theoretical and methodological discussions, both normative and empirical, to bear on the understanding and analysis of public policy, at local, national and global levels, emphasizing socially inclusive values. The journal offers a unique and geographically plural forum for researchers, policy-makers and practitioners to challenge established accounts of policy-analytic methods, to explore alternative approaches to policy-making, and to promote democratic governance, including necessary debates towards the expansion of critical epistemologies. To this end, the journal concentrates on the relation of political and policy theory to specific practices of governance, in particular as they pertain to democratic governance, participatory practices, social justice, intersectional and decolonial policies, and general public welfare. This necessitates an emphasis on the interplay between qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry. The journal thus moves beyond narrow empiricist approaches to pay special attention to interpretive, argumentative, discursive approaches to policy-making.
Critical Policy Studies is a rigorous academic journal, and also pays special attention to the practical aspects of policy-making and analysis that confront real-world practitioners in different cultural contexts. While we emphasize academic articles, we explicitly welcome practical contributions that provide stories of insight related to efforts to transform domination or oppression in public policy practices and structures. In addition, the journal includes essays on current debates and opinions in the field, review articles that reflect on published research, and book reviews.
Peer Review
All articles that appear in Critical Policy Studies have been subjected to rigorous peer review. Submissions to the journal undergo an initial editor screening and, where it is decided to pursue the possibility of publication, are reviewed by two referees to whom the identity of the writer is not revealed. Where articles engage with the work of one or more of the editors themselves, referees are chosen not by the latter, but by another editor or member of the editorial board. This screening and refereeing process applies to all texts published in CPS except editorial introductions, comments on articles previously published, forum papers, comments on forum papers, and book reviews.
Authors can choose to publish gold open access in this journal.
Read the Instructions for Authors for information on how to submit your article.
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