About the Journal

The International Journal of Rural Criminology (IJRC) is a peer-reviewed multi- and cross-disciplinary journal dedicated to publishing both theoretical and empirical work on rural crime and criminal justice issue throughout the world. It is a continuation of the journal of the same name, whose first five volumes were published in The Ohio State University Knowledge Bank (https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/51122). The journal now serves as the official organ of the International Society for the Study of Rural Crime; the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Rural Criminology; and the European Rural Criminology Working Group of the European Society of Criminology.

If you plan to submit a manuscript to the International Journal of Rural Criminology, please first read the journal's policy statements, especially about copyright, plagiarism, and AI generated content.

Special Issues

In addition to ongoing regular issues, the IJRC will publish a special themed issue each year.

We are open to any imaginative proposals, which could be (but not limited to):

  • theoretical, empirical or a combination of both
  • qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods or a combination of all
  • themed around geographic locations – broadly (e.g. Asia; the South Pacific) or specifically (e.g. boom towns; tourist locations)
  • focussed on particular demographics (e.g. hobby farmers, tourists); on victims (e.g. people with disabilities), on offenders (e.g. farmers as offenders), on criminal justice institutions and processes (e.g. access to justice), on certain crime types (e.g. burglary; elder abuse; alcohol and other drugs); on rural criminology itself (e.g. teaching at University level; research methods) and so on

Proposals should seek to incorporate a variety of ‘voices’ and perspectives, such as by including practitioners, early career researchers and higher degree students.

Special issue editors will be provided with substantial support – and mentoring as required – as they bring their issue together through the various stages from conception, to peer-review, copy editing and production.

Proposals should contain the following:

  • An abstract for the special issue of 500 words which articulates the theme
  • A brief biography and CV for special issue editors
  • An indication of the anticipated number of articles, research notes and note from the field which might be contained in the special issue
  • An anticipated/preferred timeline – e.g. when, ideally, you might release the call for papers, collect abstracts/manuscripts, and a suggested month and year for publication (turnaround from agreement on a special issue to its publication will be in the order of 12-18 months)

Special issues are normally edited by one or two editors for a special issue: please consult with the IJRC editors about additional special issue editors.

This information should be emailed to Joe Donnermeyer: donnermeyer.1@gmail.com