First call for manuscripts
For ten years, the RSD Symposia have contributed to the evolution of the systemic design discipline and practice community, with an ongoing programme of late-breaking studies, novel systems methods, extraordinary keynotes and the development of discourse through several publication outlets. Until recently, the publication opportunities offered were to publish in journal special issues, following symposium proceedings. A pro forma sequence of publication often called a “publishing ladder,” suggests the increasing level of scholarship demanded at each step. However, the reliance on SDA “partner” journals for special issues has led to an inconsistent body of literature and has not enabled the development of emerging scholars.
The most compelling reason for owning the publication process is that the range of emerging studies and depth of scholarship in systemic design now calls for a home journal, with its own body of reviewers knowledgeable in the discipline and its issues and interests.
The SDA Publications working group met over the first half of the year to define options and assess feasibility and publisher and hosting options. As the new SDA site was being developed, the capabilities for self-publishing and managing reviews were carefully considered.
Plans for 2021
The SDA announces the first call for manuscripts for the inaugural issue of the Journal of the Systemic Design Association. The Journal of the SDA will be the title designate until a distinctive title is approved (look for a member survey to solicit feedback on a short title). The SDA Journal will launch with two semi-annual issues per year, with the first issue planned for a small number of quality articles to be published early 2022.
Three publications are envisioned to provide a range of opportunities for new scholarship and cases. The Journal of the SDA will publish peer-reviewed research articles and final work developed from RSD proceedings. Design Briefs will publish essays and selected systemic design case studies chosen by editorial review. An online collection of system maps and visualized systems (with abstracts) will be curated under Cartographics. The RSD “publication ladder” will be extended from RSD short and full papers, to case reports,and full research articles.
For more information visit the SDA site or contact Peter Jones
Publication spiral
Systemic design studies and RSD proceedings editors have collaborated with design research journals FORMakademisk, She Ji, and several other peer-reviewed journals and publications. SDA takes a cyclic non-hierarchical approach to advance scholarship, which we call the publications spiral.
