Aims & Scope - Acta Universitatis Sapientiae

The new series of Social Analysis continues as an open access peer-reviewed journal, merging three earlier journal series: Communicatio, European and Regional Studies, and Social Analysis – within the Acta Universitatis Sapientiae family of periodicals. The reconceptualized journal unites the aims undertaken by its predecessors into a more broadened horizon of social sciences, allowing more flexible interdisciplinary approaches, at the same time preserving the clear original tracks of the three previous journals in the form of three separate topical, or rather disciplinary, sections coordinated by topical editors.

On a general level, the field of interest is the description, interpretation, and analysis of social phenomena extending into most spheres of social sciences. These include (but are not limited to) sociology, communication studies, mass media, cultural studies, and political science – or even anthropology, economics, education, human geography, international relations, public policy analysis, social history, social media and social network science, social work, philosophy, etc. The strict, narrower topics to be followed will be focusing on three main areas: Communication and Media Studies, European and Regional Studies, and Social Analysis.

The Communication thematic column aims to gather and present the newest ongoing research on traditional and virtual communication, or new (mass and social) media, with a highlight on Central and Eastern Europe, and global perspectives. The focus of the section will be the study of social media, of their impact on generations, and of how they transform society in the region. Digital culture and its ubiquitous presence in our lives is a complex topic requiring a multi-disciplinary and a mixed-method approach.

The topical section of European and Regional Studies provides a forum for papers and inquiries concerning the historical, political, economic, and societal development of South, Central and Eastern Europe and its countries, with special focus on international relations, nationalism and language, democratic institutions and practices, post-socialist legacies, and the consequences of European integration.

The Social Analysis section is dedicated to the analysis of various social phenomena and processes taking place in Central and Eastern Europe and its regions. Besides original articles containing empirical findings, the journal welcomes policy analysis and critical essays aimed at describing the processes of social development, cultural reconfiguration, and associated discourses taking place in this part of Europe. Scoping and book reviews on emerging new topics in social sciences are encouraged.

Acta Universitatis Sapientiae Social Analysis seeks to provide a stance for both theoretical and empirical studies, comparative perspectives, interdisciplinary and multiple methodologies in approaching these themes. The Journal is interested in all the variety of academic traditions in the fields of social and political sciences and communication studies and promotes dialogue between them. It publishes research articles focusing on individual countries, cross-country analyses, or even studies relating the region to other parts of the world, literature reviews of specific topics of interest, and book reviews.

Several issues of the Journal take the form of thematic issues focused on specific topics from the fields above. Proposals for thematic issues are always announced on the Journal’s website.

Why Subscribe and Read

The focus of the Journal is primarily oriented towards East-Central Europe and its regions. Empirical findings, policy analysis, and critical essays aiming at describing the processes of social development, cultural reconfiguration, and associated discourses taking place in this part of Europe are particularly welcome.

Why Submit

Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Social Analysis is a peer-reviewed journal. All submitted manuscripts are reviewed by two anonymous referees. The Journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges.