About the Journal

Focus & Scope 

Contemporary Challenges was established with the aspiration to advance a multi-disciplinary approach to issues of global crime, justice and security that have traditionally been dealt with in compartmentalised academic fields. We believe that this has contributed to the formation of functional academic silos that are counterproductive when discerning responses to contemporary challenges. Our vision is for CCJ to serve as a platform for interdisciplinary debate that is of relevance to academics, policy makers and law enforcement officials alike. We hope that the journal will be a starting point for further discussion, research and collaboration across disciplines and professions.

We ask for submissions relating to the following themes:

  • Civil and Transnational Conflict
  • Global Security and Justice
  • Criminological Theories and Critiques
  • Discrimination and Human Rights 
  • Policing and Prisons 
  • International Crimes 

We also welcome short Commentaries, Case Law Reviews (any jurisdiction) and Book Reviews pertaining to the aforementioned themes.

Students are not only welcome but are strongly encouraged to submit their papers and thereby participate in the academic debate at the intersection of crime, justice and security that CCJ provides a platform for.

CCJ is global in its outlook and interdisciplinary in nature. Our editorial board is made up of postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines including law, criminology and international relations. We believe that this diversity of academic backgrounds allows us to engage with contemporary challenges intersectionally and comprehensively - in short, in the way that the challenges of today demand.

Submissions should have a clear global, transnational, or comparative outlook, with a focus on topics related to crime, justice, and security. Submissions that are interdisciplinary in nature and encompass various perspectives will be of particular interest to the journal. Authors that are unsure about whether their submission falls within the scope of the journal should refer to the previously published volumes of the journal or contact the Editor-in-Chief or the Deputy Editors-in-Chief.

Journal Information & Policies 
Please see our Journal Information & Policies page for details of the Journal's peer review process, Open Access policy and other journal information.