Research Across the Social Sciences and Humanities
PenScholar Journals provides a focused publishing platform for scholarly research across the social sciences and humanities, with individual journals organized around defined academic disciplines and research communities.
Our Academic Focus
Social Sciences — research examining society, institutions, behavior, education, governance, communication, and related social systems.
Humanities — research examining language, literature, history, culture, interpretation, and related areas of human thought and expression.
Where Disciplines Meet
Scholarship often crosses disciplinary boundaries — language and education, culture and communication, society and psychology, politics and economics, literature and cultural studies, education and applied linguistics. These are examples of how disciplines relate, not guarantees that interdisciplinary work fits any specific journal; fit still depends on that journal’s own stated scope.
Every Journal Has a Defined Scope
PenScholar’s publisher-wide focus provides the broader disciplinary framework; each journal has its own aims, subject boundaries, readership, and article types. Before submitting, review the specific journal’s aims and scope, recent publications, article types, author guidelines, and peer review policy. Explore Journals
What We Publish
Article types accepted vary by journal — not every journal accepts every type below.
Research Articles
Original scholarly research presenting a clear research question, methodology, analysis, and contribution.
Review Articles
Critical and structured synthesis of existing scholarship.
Research Notes
Focused contributions addressing specific questions, findings, or emerging research.
Case Studies
Detailed analysis of a defined case, context, institution, or phenomenon where appropriate.
Book Reviews
Critical assessment of scholarly books where supported by the relevant journal.
Editorials
Editorial perspectives or journal-level contributions where applicable.
What Makes a Manuscript a Good Fit?
- Falls within the journal’s stated subject area
- Addresses a meaningful scholarly question, supported by appropriate evidence
- Demonstrates sound methodology or analytical reasoning
- Engages relevant academic literature
- Makes a clear, coherent contribution
- Follows the journal’s author requirements
Meeting these does not guarantee peer review or publication — editorial and review outcomes depend on the journal’s full evaluation.
Who We Publish For
PenScholar Journals serves researchers, university faculty, graduate researchers, academic practitioners, policy researchers, educators, and scholars working across related disciplines — wherever their research communities and institutions are based, as supported by the individual journal.
For Authors
- Identify the Most Appropriate Journal
- Review Its Aims & Scope
- Examine Recent Articles
- Review Author Guidelines
- Prepare the Manuscript
- Submit Through the Editorial System
See What We Publish
No articles have been published yet.
Published research will appear here as it becomes available.
Find the Right Journal
Explore PenScholar journals by discipline, scope, and research area before preparing your submission.
Explore Journals · Submit Manuscript
From Scope to Submission
Editorial assessment begins with whether a submission fits the journal’s scope and requirements — scope comes before peer review, not the other way around.
Submit Manuscript · Read Peer Review Policy
Research Integrity Applies Across Disciplines
Responsible authorship, originality, appropriate attribution, ethical research conduct, and disclosed conflicts of interest apply to every submission, regardless of discipline. Publication Ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects does PenScholar Journals cover?
PenScholar Journals publishes research across the social sciences and humanities; specific disciplines are reflected in the journal catalogue.
Does PenScholar publish across both Social Sciences and Humanities?
Yes, across both broad areas, through journals organized around specific disciplines within each.
Does every PenScholar journal cover the same subjects?
No. Each journal has its own defined scope within PenScholar’s broader focus.
How do I know whether my research fits a journal?
Compare your manuscript against the journal’s stated aims and scope, subject area, and recent publications.
What article types can I submit?
This depends on the journal; common types include research articles, review articles, research notes, case studies, book reviews, and editorials.
Can interdisciplinary research be submitted?
Yes, where it fits the scope of a specific journal.
How should I choose a journal?
Start with the discipline closest to your research, then review that journal’s aims and scope in detail.
Where can I find journal-specific author guidelines?
On the Author Guidelines page, and linked from each journal’s own page.
How do I submit my manuscript?
Choose the appropriate journal, then submit through that journal’s editorial system.
Does fitting the journal scope guarantee publication?
No. Scope fit does not guarantee acceptance or publication.
Find the Right Home for Your Research
Explore PenScholar journals by discipline and review each journal's scope before submitting your manuscript.