The International Journal of Canadian Studies has issued a compelling call for manuscripts for its special issue #65, scheduled for publication in June 2027. This thematic edition focuses on “The study of Canada post-2025: Continuity and ruptures,” inviting scholars from across disciplines to explore how the field of Canadian Studies has evolved since the landmark Symons Report of 1975.
Background on the International Journal of Canadian Studies and Its Role in Higher Education
The International Journal of Canadian Studies, published by the University of Toronto Press and supported by the International Council for Canadian Studies, stands as a cornerstone for interdisciplinary inquiry into Canadian society, culture, politics, and history. The bilingual peer-reviewed publication regularly features original research in areas such as political studies, international relations, literatures and the arts, history, Indigenous studies, sociology, and anthropology. In the Canadian higher education landscape, the journal serves as a vital platform for faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students at institutions including York University, Western University, McMaster University, and Wilfrid Laurier University, where Canadian Studies programs continue to adapt to shifting academic priorities.
Canadian Studies as a field has long been embedded in university curricula across the country, fostering critical examination of national identity, regional dynamics, and global positioning. With declining international student numbers in some provinces and increasing emphasis on research impact, calls like this one provide timely opportunities for academics to contribute to ongoing conversations about the discipline’s relevance.
The Symons Report Legacy and Fifty Years of Reflection
More than five decades ago, Thomas Symons’ 1975 Report of the Commission on Canadian Studies, titled “To Know Ourselves,” emphasized the importance of studying Canada as a form of national self-knowledge. Recent symposia and workshops in 2025 and 2026 have revisited this foundational document, highlighting how the field has moved away from a singular nation-building mission toward more decentered, transcultural, and community-centred approaches. Conferences such as Canadian Studies at Zero Point at Western University and the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada symposium at Wilfrid Laurier University have underscored these shifts, noting the rise of frameworks like New Area Studies, Critical Canadian Studies, and postcolonial perspectives.
These reflections occur against a backdrop of significant change in Canadian higher education. Universities are grappling with funding pressures, evolving accreditation standards, and the need to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems more fully into curricula. The special issue offers a structured way for researchers to document these transformations while maintaining rigorous scholarly standards.
Geopolitical Context Shaping Post-2025 Canadian Studies
The timing of this call coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions affecting Canada’s place in the world. Issues such as trade relations with the United States, Arctic sovereignty, critical minerals, and environmental emergencies have prompted renewed interest in what distinguishes Canadian perspectives. Scholars are encouraged to examine how the study of Canada can address these challenges, whether through continuity with established traditions or through deliberate ruptures that reframe the discipline for contemporary realities.
In university settings, this geopolitical lens intersects with broader discussions about internationalization strategies. Canadian institutions are increasingly positioning Canadian Studies programs to attract global collaborators while responding to domestic priorities around reconciliation and economic resilience. The special issue thus serves as both an academic exercise and a practical resource for administrators seeking to strengthen interdisciplinary research clusters.
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Themes of Continuity and Ruptures in Research Submissions
Contributors are invited to explore empirical and theoretical dimensions of continuity and rupture. Topics may include how concepts of Canadian identity have persisted or transformed in literature and the arts, shifts in Indigenous-settler relations, changes in regional economic dynamics, or evolving approaches to international relations. The call explicitly welcomes work that questions or reiterates images of Canada both internally and for external audiences.
This thematic breadth aligns well with the diverse research agendas at Canadian universities. For example, faculty in history and political science departments can draw on archival work or policy analysis, while those in literary studies or cultural geography might examine artistic expressions of marginality or transcultural exchange. The bilingual nature of the journal further encourages submissions that bridge English- and French-language scholarly communities.
Submission Guidelines and Timeline for Researchers
Manuscripts should range from 6,000 to 8,000 words and include summaries in both English and French. Submissions in either language are accepted and must follow the journal’s author guidelines available on the University of Toronto Press website. The deadline for thematic submissions is October 1, 2026, with all articles undergoing double-blind peer review.
Researchers at various career stages—including early-career academics, established professors, and independent scholars—can benefit from this structured opportunity. The process emphasizes originality and interdisciplinary reach, qualities highly valued in Canadian higher education hiring and tenure evaluations. Potential contributors are encouraged to review recent volumes of the journal to align their work with its established standards of excellence.
Implications for Canadian Universities and Research Networks
The special issue has the potential to strengthen research networks across Canadian campuses and with international partners. By focusing on post-2025 realities, it encourages institutions to assess the health of their Canadian Studies offerings amid broader trends such as program consolidations and interdisciplinary initiatives. Universities with strong area studies traditions, such as those in Ontario and Quebec, stand to gain visibility through published contributions.
Administrators may view participation as a way to demonstrate institutional commitment to scholarly inquiry into national issues. Graduate programs could incorporate the call into course discussions or thesis development, helping students see direct pathways from coursework to publication. This aligns with efforts across the sector to enhance research training and output metrics.
Expert Perspectives on the Future of the Field
Scholars involved in recent Canadian Studies symposia have noted that the field must balance respect for its origins with openness to new methodologies and voices. The special issue provides a formal venue for these debates, potentially influencing curriculum design and funding priorities at universities nationwide. By addressing both continuity and rupture, contributors can help articulate a forward-looking vision for Canadian Studies that remains responsive to societal needs.
International scholars affiliated with Canadian Studies associations abroad may also find the call relevant, as the journal has historically welcomed global perspectives on Canada. This international dimension supports Canada’s broader higher education internationalization goals.
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Actionable Insights for Prospective Contributors and Institutions
Academics interested in submitting should begin by identifying how their current research intersects with the theme. Early drafts can benefit from feedback at departmental seminars or through networks like the Canadian Studies Network. Institutions might consider hosting workshops on manuscript preparation or peer-review processes to support faculty participation.
Funding bodies and research chairs focused on Canadian topics could use the issue as a benchmark for evaluating proposals. Ultimately, the call reinforces the value of sustained investment in Canadian Studies as a vibrant component of the national higher education ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: The Evolving Landscape of Canadian Studies
As Canadian universities navigate demographic shifts, technological advancements in research methods, and changing student expectations, initiatives like this special issue play a crucial role in sustaining intellectual vitality. The June 2027 publication promises to capture a pivotal moment of reflection and renewal in the field.
Readers and researchers alike can anticipate a rich collection that not only documents change but actively shapes the future direction of Canadian Studies scholarship. For the latest updates on submissions and related events, interested parties should consult the journal’s portal and affiliated association websites.