JAF Calls for Perspectives Essays on Crisis and Action

In response to the many profound challenges of our current historical moment, the Editorial Collective of the Journal of American Folklore invites written contributions to a special “Perspectives” section on the theme of “Crisis and Action.” This special Perspectives section will address our current sociopolitical landscape and ongoing governmental actions that contest fundamental values bearing enormous material consequences to our field.

Such challenges are innumerable and rapidly changing. In the United States, they currently include dismantling of DEI and cuts to federal agencies and education–raising anger and fear among many of our colleagues, students, and collaborators. Underlying these actions are threats and realities of rising global tensions, imperial expansion, crumbling historical alliances, and war. 

We invite short essays of roughly 1000-1500 words that speak to some aspect of these intersectional crises, our shared work within this discipline, and offer folkloristic perspectives on how our discipline can confront, alleviate, or play trickster as we walk the hard paths ahead. Some authors may wish to ground their work in historical contexts as well. We hope to publish selected essays as a forum that both facilitates conversations within our field and also preserves this historical moment for the future of our discipline.

Essays should be submitted through the JAF Submissions Portal by May 15, 2025. Successful submissions will be slated for publication in the Winter 2026 issue. Potential contributors may wish to read more about JAF Perspectives. Authors requiring confidentiality may reach out to the editorial collective for guidance.

Please contact the JAF Editors at JAF.editors@afsnet.org for feedback or guidance as you refine your work.