Call for Papers: Community Development Shaping the Future

Special Section 61.4: Community Development Shaping the Future

In 2026, the Community Development Journal marks its 60th anniversary, with a series of
special sections across the 61st issue of the journal. Each special section will comprise a short
editorial bringing together a selection of papers around a common theme that will serve as a
point of reflection.

Issue 61.1 considered community development in context, arguing that ‘by acknowledging
the contexts in which community development was developed, we equip ourselves to
envision different contexts - oriented to justice, equality, meaningful participation, and
systemic change’.

Issue 61.2 and 61.3 turned to the present, asking what role community development can play
in responding to the current polycrises and in challenging the structures that have produced
them.

The Community Development Journal now invites submissions for Issue 61.4, a
forward-looking special section that imagines how community development can
contribute to a just future.

We are facing profound ecological, social, and political uncertainty. This special section aims
to emphasise the potential of transformative community development practice in addressing
the issues we collectively face. We wish to provide a visionary conclusion to the anniversary
series by exploring how community development can shape more just, sustainable, and
participatory futures.

We invite contributions focussed on:
 Transformative community development practice
 Ecological justice, sustainability, and climate-responsive community development
 Participatory, arts-based, and embodied methods in community development
 Decolonial and Indigenous approaches to community knowledge and governance
 Re-Imagining the Future

Submissions may be theoretical, empirical, methodological, or practice-based.
We welcome contributions that push conceptual boundaries, experiment with form, or
foreground underrepresented voices and perspectives.
 
Submission Schedule:
•      30 April - Optional EOI and Abstract
•      15 May - Feedback from editors on Abstract
•      15 June - Full paper Submission deadline
•      30 June - Reviews shared with authors
•      30 July - Resubmission deadline