Journal of Contemporary History

• 1. Founding And Early History

  ›

  The Journal of Contemporary History emerged in 1966 through the collaboration of Walter Laqueur and George L. Mosse. These two scholars sought to create a dedicated space for examining global historical events from 1930 onward. Their vision required establishing a quarterly publication that could handle diverse historical approaches across all world regions. The early years focused on building credibility within academic circles while defining the scope of modern history as a field of study.

• 2. Editorial Leadership Evolution

  ›

  Richard J. Evans now serves as editor-in-chief at the University of Cambridge alongside Mary C. Neuburger from the University of Texas at Austin. This current leadership represents decades of succession following the founding era. The journal has maintained consistent editorial direction while adapting to changing scholarly landscapes over fifty years. Each new editor brings distinct expertise while preserving the core mission established by Laqueur and Mosse.

• 3. Publishing Ownership Transitions

  ›

  Weidenfeld & Nicolson originally published the journal before SAGE Publications acquired it in 1972. This transfer marked a significant shift in how the publication reached its audience. The change brought new resources while maintaining the journal's commitment to peer-reviewed scholarship. Publishers have since evolved their distribution methods to accommodate digital access requirements.

• 4. Scope And Content Methodology

  ›

  Scholarly articles, review articles, and book reviews appear quarterly covering social, economic, political, diplomatic, intellectual, and cultural approaches. Every country and region of the world receives attention within living memory from 1930 to the present day. Special issues arise from conferences or externally submitted proposals to address emerging historical questions. Since 2008 individual book reviews complement broader critical essays examining multiple works simultaneously.

• 5. Indexing And Academic Metrics

  ›

  Scopus and the Social Sciences Citation Index abstract and index the journal for academic discovery. These databases ensure researchers can locate relevant studies across global history disciplines. Journal Citation Reports assigned an impact factor of 0.769 in 2018 ranking it twenty-second among ninety-five journals in the History category. Such metrics reflect the publication's reach within scholarly communities despite its specialized focus.

• 6. Critical Reception And Legacy

  ›

  The Times Literary Supplement described the journal as one of the outstanding learned journals of history in the English-speaking world. Critics have called it an excellent international publication since its early years. This recognition has helped establish the journal's standing among history publications globally. The reputation continues to attract high-quality submissions while maintaining rigorous peer-review standards.