Hydra

Please note that this journal has ceased publication; backfiles remain available here.

Focus and Scope

Hydra: Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Studies is a student-focused, peer-reviewed academic journal, which strives to highlight the best of current postgraduate student scholarship at the University of Edinburgh. The journal’s title represents its strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, in the belief that by opening a channel of dialogue between diverse disciplines within the realm of the social sciences, classic debates may be infused with innovative and even unexpected observations. A reader of Hydra may expect to encounter perspectives as diverse yet complementary as international relations, political theory, sociology, international law, anthropology and political economy. This interdisciplinary scope reflects our commitment to the notion that interaction, rather than isolation, among researchers of various specializations often produces the most thought-provoking and illuminating scholarship on existing debates and, indeed, holds the potential to generate new ones.

The aim of Hydra: Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Studies is to present readers with a thorough variety of perspectives on social and political life. The journal is a platform for budding scholars dealing with questions of this nature to present their research to a wider and more eclectic audience than might otherwise be available. It does not advocate for any particular perspective, methodology or policy, and controversial topics may be discussed within its pages, as the journal is a forum for academic thought and exchange. In short, Hydra looks to publish the best in postgraduate student scholarship at the University of Edinburgh, and to broadcast the debates therein to scholars of all stripes and in all places.

Peer Review Process

Academic integrity is of the utmost importance to us at Hydra. All papers are to be reviewed anonymously in accordance with this commitment. A team of postgraduate reviewers will be responsible for the intake of all papers. They will check for topic relevance, formatting and general writing style.

If your work is selected for publication, the editorial team will be happy to work with you to make any improvements or changes deemed necessary. You will be kept up to date on the progress of your entry and of publication once it has been confirmed for use by the journal. Authors retain all rights to their works.

Publication Frequency

Our articles are collected into editions which will be published biannually in spring and autumn of each year.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

This journal’s open access policy is in line with UK research funders’ policies.

Copyright Notice

Sponsors

• Graduate School of Social and Political Science