Introduction to the Journal of Socio-Cultural Narratives
The First Academic Journal for Interdisciplinary Audiovisual Scholarship
The Journal of Socio-Cultural Narratives emerges from a critical need within contemporary academia for publishing platforms that honor and prioritize non-textual forms of knowledge. We are a pioneering peer-reviewed audiovisual journal dedicated to documenting unfiltered, unapologetic, and unconventional conversations at the intersections of sexuality, culture, and society.
Our core mission is to challenge the primacy of the written word in scholarly discourse by foregrounding audiovisual documentation: video interviews, presentations, and curated discussions, as a rigorous and legitimate mode of intellectual production. We operate from the conviction that the most vital insights into human experience are often conveyed not in text, but in the dynamic, embodied exchange of ideas.
This journal creates a living archive that captures both the intellectual and embodied dimensions of sociocultural inquiry. We believe that the nuances of tone, the significance of non-verbal cues, the rhythm of dialogue, and the directness of spoken testimony are invaluable data points that are often flattened or lost entirely in transcription. By presenting scholarship in its native audiovisual format, we aim to provide a richer, more holistic, and more truthful understanding of complex human experiences. Our platform is designed to preserve the integrity of the original encounter, allowing audiences to engage directly with the primary source in a way that text alone cannot replicate.
Our mission is to build a dynamic and navigable archive that allows learners from all sections of society to access critical conversations that are often excluded from conventional academic discourse. We actively seek to feature perspectives that are underrepresented, marginalized, or entirely absent in traditional publishing, positioning the journal as an evolving platform for radical inquiry, decolonial thought, and the ethical documentation of human experience. We are committed to amplifying voices that challenge established norms and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable landscape of knowledge.
The journal is organized into thematic issues, each curated to explore a specific conceptual axis. This structure allows for a deep, multi-faceted investigation of a single topic from various perspectives, creating a cohesive yet diverse body of work within each issue. The inaugural issue, Sexual Revolution, for instance, explores emergent and radical discourses on pleasure, desire, identity, and cultural norms through a series of in-depth conversations. This thematic approach encourages cross-dialogue between articles and provides a clear framework for readers navigating the journal's content.
Every aspect of the journal, from its content curation to its technical infrastructure, is guided by a commitment to ethical stewardship and intellectual rigor. We believe that the act of publishing is an act of preservation, and we take seriously our responsibility to our contributors and our audience. This commitment is reflected in our transparent editorial policies, our robust digital preservation strategy, and our dedication to open-access principles, ensuring that the knowledge we steward is both protected and freely available.
Ultimately, the Journal of Socio-Cultural Narratives is more than a collection of videos; it is a scholarly intervention and a political project. It is a space for inquiry that values the affective and the experiential as much as the analytical. It is a testament to the power of conversation as a method of generating knowledge and a commitment to building an archive that reflects the complexity, diversity, and richness of human social and cultural life.