Modern Asian Studies
In 1947, the Scarbrough Commission issued a report that declared knowledge of Asian countries needed a permanent place in British academia. The commission stated that existing understanding of Asian histories, cultures, and languages was quite inadequate for Britain's national purposes. Ralph Lilley Turner served as the second Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the time. He requested state funding to implement the commission's recommendations immediately after the report released. Funding began flowing into SOAS in 1948 to support new academic positions. The institution planned to appoint eighteen professors over the next five years. They also intended to hire thirty-five readers and one hundred fourteen lecturers during that same period.
Cambridge University Press established Modern Asian Studies in 1967 through a joint initiative with several UK universities. The Syndics of the University of Cambridge partnered with the Committee of Directors at the Centre of South Asian Studies. This consortium included SOAS University of London alongside the University of Cambridge itself. The University of Hull joined the effort along with the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield. The launching of this academic journal represented the culmination of efforts started by the Scarbrough Commission twenty years prior. It became one of the leading journals in its field from its very first issue.
Norbert Peabody previously edited the journal while serving at the University of Cambridge. Since 2021, four scholars have co-edited the publication together. Johan Elverskog works at Southern Methodist University as part of the editorial team. Sumit Guha serves as editor from the University of Texas, Austin. A. Azfar Moin also edits from the University of Texas, Austin alongside Robert M. Oppenheim. These four individuals now manage the direction of the bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal. Their collective leadership continues the tradition established decades earlier by the founding consortium.
Modern Asian Studies publishes monographic essays on a wide range of topics supported with empirical data. The journal covers the history, sociology, economics, and culture of modern Asia. It functions as the flagship area studies journal for Cambridge University Press today. Scholars submit work that examines specific historical events or social structures within Asian nations. The content relies heavily on documented evidence rather than theoretical speculation alone. This approach distinguishes it from other publications in the broader field of Asian studies.
The journal appears in major academic databases including Scopus and Social Sciences Citation Index. Bibliography of Asian Studies lists its articles for researchers seeking specific regional information. Worldwide Political Science Abstracts also includes its content for political science scholars. According to Journal Citation Reports, the publication holds an impact factor of 1.075 recorded in 2021. This metric reflects how often other authors cite articles published within the journal during that year. Its inclusion in these indexes ensures visibility among global academic communities.
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Common questions
When was Modern Asian Studies established by Cambridge University Press?
Cambridge University Press established Modern Asian Studies in 1967 through a joint initiative with several UK universities. The Syndics of the University of Cambridge partnered with the Committee of Directors at the Centre of South Asian Studies to launch this academic journal.
Who are the current editors of Modern Asian Studies as of 2021?
Since 2021, four scholars have co-edited Modern Asian Studies together including Johan Elverskog from Southern Methodist University and Sumit Guha from the University of Texas Austin. A. Azfar Moin also edits from the University of Texas Austin alongside Robert M. Oppenheim to manage the direction of the bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal.
What is the impact factor of Modern Asian Studies recorded in 2021?
According to Journal Citation Reports the publication holds an impact factor of 1.075 recorded in 2021. This metric reflects how often other authors cite articles published within Modern Asian Studies during that year.
Which universities formed the consortium for Modern Asian Studies?
The Consortium included SOAS University of London alongside the University of Cambridge itself along with the University of Hull and the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield. This group launched Modern Asian Studies in 1967 through a joint initiative with several UK universities.