Reviews

JOCPC: Journal of Children in Popular Culture

Call for papers: Mechanization and the Child 

Deadline for submissions: August 31, 2023

Contact email: 

camartin@swin.edu.au 

JOCPC is now accepting article submissions for the Fall 2023 issue focusing on the broad theme of the mechanized child. We have kept the theme open-ended and invite works across a wide range of disciplines where researchers are exploring representations of the intersection between the child figure, childhood and mechanization. This may include robotics, automatons, AI, VR, and other emerging technologies, both historical and future forward, real and fictional, and how these are used by, to, on and for children. Born alongside new and emerging technologies, children have an innate fluency with new technologies that often leave their adult counterparts behind, reinforcing the notion of children as symbols of futurity. The theme of mechanization and the child also includes screen and literary texts. Contributors are invited to explore both high and low-tech forms of mechanization.  

JOCPC is an open-access, online, international, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for scholars and professionals to interrogate representations of the child in popular culture. The journal facilitates an international dialogue among scholars and professionals through vigorous discussion of the intersections between the child, the conception of childhood, and any other interactions with the child in the context of popular culture.

JOCPC invites critical and/or theoretical examination of the child to further our understanding of the circulation, consumption, and representation of the child throughout a variety of mediums within popular discourse. All disciplines are welcome and international submissions are encouraged.

Submissions are to be between 5,000 and 9,000 words, including notes. 

The journal is also accepting reviews for books, films, and television. Contact carynmyrphy@gmail.com for more information and review submissions.

The Journal of Children in Popular Culture accepts submissions in English on a continuing basis. JOCPC is published once a year in November. Submissions are subject to blind peer review by select Editorial Board members with results within 12-18 weeks from submission date. 

JOCPC encourages international submissions on any aspect of the child or childhood in popular culture. We particularly encourage submissions from the global south.

Submission guidelines:

JOCPC will accept works in any academic citation system, such as APA or MLA, as long as the citations follow the guidelines of that particular system. All works must be submitted in Word, double-spaced, sans track changes or other comments, and without any author-identifying information on the article.  Preferred article length is between 5000 and 9000 words, though longer works will be considered. Images may be used but are limited to two frame or screen grabs, per copyright-free educational usage. If other images are used, the author is responsible for securing correct permissions for use. 

There is no fee for publication. Author's retain copyright

Submissions must include a brief biography of all authors and full contact information.

 Please send submissions to camartin@swin.edu.au

JOCPC accepts submissions for both film and books reviews that focus on children, childhood, and their intersections with popular culture. 

Reviews should address the significance of the children and/or childhood in the text under analysis. 

Reviews should follow academic format.

Reviews may focus on books, textbooks, films appropriate for classroom use, and children’s media. International film and book reviews are encouraged.

Reviews must be between 1500 and 5000 words, including endnotes and bibliography. Reviews must be double-spaced, submitted in a Word document, and include all publication information for the book under review, and relevant production information (including release date and country of origin) for film reviews. 

There is no fee for publication. Author's retain copyright

Reviews are accepted on a rolling bases, and are peer reviewed under the same process as articles. 

Contact Caryn Murphy at carynmurphy@gmail.com to propose a review, or to submit your completed work.