Papers on Social Representations

Peer Reviewed Online Journal

A HALF CENTURY OF SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS: Discussion on some recommended papers call for papers Special issue editors Caroline Howarth (LSE), Nikos Kalampalikis (University of Lyon) and Paula Castro (Lisbon University Institute) 2011 marks a symbolic anniversary for Social Representations Theory as it is 50 years since the publication of Serge Moscovicis seminal book La psychanalyse, son image et son public. In this last half century there has been a vast amount of work published on the theory, empirical studies using SRT as well as methodological debates and critiques all over the world, both inside and outside the academic era of social psychology. Some publications have provoked a lot of debate, developed a significant aspect of the theory or suggested a particular methodological approach. Some are read and cited widely. Others are not. We feel this is an opportune moment to ask for some reflection and debate on these publications. Which ones have we found thought-provoking, useful for our students, or at odds with our own understanding? Which ones warrant further discussion? Specifically we invite short commentaries that discuss one journal paper or book chapter and its significance to the field of SR in general. There may be empirical papers that are excellent illustrations of the theory and present students with a good model of how to do good SRT research. Strong theoretical papers may demonstrate the capacity of this interdisciplinary approach to connect research in social psychology and in the social sciences in general. There will be papers that invariably create a lively debate and demonstrate the central tenets and challenges of the theory. Some papers push the frontiers of SRT forward, extending theory and/or making new applications. We invite commentaries on papers that are widely cited but that readers feel need further discussion or clarification, but we also encourage people to choose articles/chapters that are important but not as accessible or widely read as they believe they should be. Perhaps papers that have led to serious misunderstandings or points of difference may deserve discussion. For an array of reasons, people should choose the papers/chapters that have been pivotal in their own thinking, research and teaching. The original paper or chapter discussed in the commentary may have been published in any language. In fact we hope that some commentators will choose works in languages other than English. This would enable the Special Issue to become an important resource for the Englishspeaking global community who have little or no access to our sometimes-too-closed field, and enable them to discover, or better understand the theory of Social Representations, and contribute to our debates. As PSR is an online Journal in free access, we expect a good impact. Commentaries should highlight why the reading is important for students, scholars and researchers within SRT and also those in neighbouring fields. Links with other theories are very welcome since this will help putting SRT on the map. Commentators should both place the reading within the

broader intellectual, institutional and historical context of SRT theory and explain why the paper/chapter is significant. They may also choose to review controversies around a particular paper or concept discussed and/or consider the value of the paper with reference to research, including their own research. However the discussion must be primarily concerned with the chosen paper/chapter. It is possible that people may choose the same paper to comment on and this will create an interesting debate as we can publish multiple commentaries on the same reading. As there are an extensive number of papers to choose from we shall only select the most thoughtful and insightful commentaries, that speak to the general aims of PSR. Commentaries should be no longer than 4000 words. All commentaries must be submitted in English. Please be mindful to write clearly. If accepted the commentary may also appear in another language alongside the English version (if the commentator chooses to submit another version). Where possible we shall also publish the discussed journal paper/book chapter, ideally in English (this means that the commentator may need to translate it). Again, where possible and appropriate the original paper/chapter may also appear in another language. All questions about this should be sent to the PSR editor. We shall celebrate the launch of this special issue at an anniversary conference at the LSE next year. 2012 is also the 20th anniversary of PSR, so the conference shall mark 20 years of Papers on Social Representations, 50 years of SRT research and the publication of this special issue. The authors of the accepted papers and leaders in the field will be invited to participate. The conference date is 2223 March 2012. The deadline for commentaries is 31st August 2011. Please send commentaries to
psreditor@psych.lse.ac.uk