International Affairs (journal)
The first issue of International Affairs appeared in 1922, just two years after the British Institute of International Affairs established its headquarters at Chatham House in London. Geoffrey Malcolm Gathorne-Hardy served as the founding editor and wrote in his opening editorial that he hoped the publication would become a source of information and a guide to judgment in international affairs. For much of its early life, the journal functioned primarily as a transcript of major addresses and speeches delivered at Chatham House rather than original research. The historian Arnold J. Toynbee emerged as a regular contributor during these formative years, helping shape the publication's initial identity. In 1931, the journal officially adopted the name International Affairs while continuing to feature transcribed speeches from prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi visited Chatham House in 1931 to deliver a speech titled 'The Future of India,' which was subsequently published within the journal pages. The onset of the Second World War in 1939 caused the main publication to suspend operations until further notice. Activity did not completely cease during the conflict however, as editors produced comprehensive book review supplements three times per year for four consecutive years. These supplements often contained as many as 60 or more individual reviews and eventually formed the 19th volume when full publication resumed in 1944.
In the aftermath of the Second World War and through the 1950s, International Affairs began publishing articles focused on the development of international institutions alongside analysis of Soviet foreign policy. The journal maintained its global scope by covering major events affecting the African continent as independence struggles gained momentum. A special issue on Africa commissioned and published in October 1960 featured contributions from Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere and heads of state from Tunisia and Mali. By the 1970s, the publication had transitioned from acting solely as a record of Chatham House speeches to also publishing scholarly articles. Works by Hedley Bull, Joseph Nye, and Susan Strange exemplified this new approach toward academic rigor. Susan Strange became a prolific regular contributor due to her links with Chatham House, publishing 81 articles and book reviews between 1950 and 1996. Her influential article 'International economics and international relations: a case of mutual neglect' helped define the journal's evolving direction. During the 1980s, this reputation for academic research combined with a focus on current affairs including Afghanistan, Iran, and the Falklands War. In 1982, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger contributed an article titled 'Reflections on a partnership: British and American attitudes to postwar foreign policy.' The fall of the Soviet Union created a new geopolitical landscape that prompted International Affairs to publish its first article seeking to understand the reality in 1991.
In its 100-year history, International Affairs has featured work by some of the leading figures in global politics and academia. Mahatma Gandhi visited Chatham House in 1931 to give a speech titled 'The Future of India,' which appeared in the journal pages. Ernesto Che Guevara published an article in 1964 discussing the economic transformation of Cuba under Fidel Castro. Susan Strange maintained a remarkable output of 81 articles and book reviews between 1950 and 1996 due to her close ties with Chatham House. Joseph S. Nye contributed multiple pieces including an article in a special issue responding to the political implications of the 9/11 terror attacks. Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote about major challenges for the newly inaugurated President Obama in 2009. Lennart Meri, who would later become Estonia's president, published 'Estonia's role in the new Europe' in 1991. Domestic political figures like Vince Cable also found space within the journal alongside international leaders. The publication continues to feature authors from countries such as China, India, and Japan alongside western contributors since 2015.
Since 1922, ninety-seven volumes of International Affairs have been published by fourteen editors totaling four hundred fifty-one issues. Geoffrey Malcolm Gathorne-Hardy served as the founding editor from 1922 until 1931 when Margaret Cleeve took over the role. Cleeve held the position for twenty-five years, serving from 1932 through 1957 before Muriel Grindrod assumed leadership. Grindrod edited the journal from 1957 to 1963, followed by N.P. Macdonald who served from 1963 to 1971. Thomas Barman held the title briefly during January and April of 1971 before Wendy Hinde took charge from 1971 to 1979. Robert Jackson led the publication starting in 1980, succeeded by David Stephen who served from 1981 to 1983. John Roper edited from 1984 to 1989, then Lucy Seton-Watson took over from 1989 to 1992. J.E. Spence served from 1992 to 1996, followed by Caroline Soper who remained in the role from 1996 until 2014. Andrew Dorman led the journal from 2015 to 2024, after which Rita Floyd and Asaf Siniver became co-editors in 2024.
In 2015, the journal transitioned to its current editorial team and began broadening geographical coverage with special issues on China, India, and Japan. The publication has since developed social media and blog presences while adopting an Open Access policy following the Gold model. In 2016, International Affairs launched a blog on the social publishing platform Medium designed to bring insights from the journal to a wider audience. Since 2017, the blog also features professional development posts providing advice on publishing in academic journals. Editors have curated online-only Virtual Issues where collections of articles demonstrate engagement with specific critical themes. All Virtual Issues are provided free to access by Oxford University Press and accompanied by introductions from noted specialists. Current Virtual Issues include topics such as India's odyssey through international affairs, UK defence policy, and the Falklands conflict. With every new issue, the Editor spotlights one paper recognized for its significant contribution to advancing research in the field. These selected articles become available for free access allowing readers to explore and download them without charge. In 2020, half of all contributors to the journal apart from book reviewers identified as women.
In 2017, International Affairs launched their Early Career Prize aimed at celebrating work by journal contributors with less than seven years of academic experience. The Prize is awarded each year to an author or authors whose article fulfills criteria including outstanding innovative thinking and valuable contributions to the field. A committee comprising members of the journal's editorial board selects winners who demonstrate excellent research methods and clear presentation of argument. The prize is presented at the annual International Studies Association Convention. Jasmine-Kim Westendorf and Louise Searle won the inaugural award in 2018 for their article on sexual exploitation and abuse in peace operations. Katja Lindskov Jacobsen and Troels Gauslå Engell received the 2019 prize for their work on conflict prevention as a pragmatic response to crisis. Paula Drumond was honored in 2020 for her critical interrogation of sexual violence against men in global politics. Olivier Schmitt won in 2021 for his analysis of wartime paradigms and future western military power. Jelena Cupać and Irem Ebetürk shared the 2022 award alongside Clare Elder for their respective works on backlash advocacy and Somaliland's authoritarian turn.
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Common questions
When did the first issue of International Affairs appear?
The first issue of International Affairs appeared in 1922. This publication began just two years after the British Institute of International Affairs established its headquarters at Chatham House in London.
Who was the founding editor of International Affairs and when did they serve?
Geoffrey Malcolm Gathorne-Hardy served as the founding editor from 1922 until 1931. Margaret Cleeve took over the role in 1931 and held the position for twenty-five years through 1957.
What major event caused International Affairs to suspend operations during the Second World War?
The onset of the Second World War in 1939 caused the main publication to suspend operations until further notice. Activity continued however as editors produced comprehensive book review supplements three times per year for four consecutive years.
Which author published 81 articles and book reviews between 1950 and 1996 for International Affairs?
Susan Strange maintained a remarkable output of 81 articles and book reviews between 1950 and 1996 due to her close ties with Chatham House. Her influential article 'International economics and international relations: a case of mutual neglect' helped define the journal's evolving direction.
When did International Affairs launch its Early Career Prize and who won the inaugural award?
In 2017, International Affairs launched their Early Career Prize aimed at celebrating work by journal contributors with less than seven years of academic experience. Jasmine-Kim Westendorf and Louise Searle won the inaugural award in 2018 for their article on sexual exploitation and abuse in peace operations.