The Journal of New Zealand & Pacific Studies has issued a call for papers for a special issue focused on Pacific and Pasifika sporting cultures, scheduled for publication in 2027 as Issue 15.1. This opportunity invites scholars to examine the rich tapestry of sport across Aotearoa New Zealand and the broader Pacific region, highlighting identities shaped by colonial legacies, commercial forces, and decolonial movements.
Background on the Journal and Its Focus
The Journal of New Zealand & Pacific Studies serves as a key trans-disciplinary outlet for research on New Zealand and Pacific topics. Sponsored by the New Zealand Studies Association and hosted by the University of Vienna, it balances contributions from both regions while prioritising Polynesia and the South Pacific. Disciplines represented include cultural studies, history, literature, film, anthropology, politics and sociology. The journal maintains rigorous double-anonymised peer review and follows Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines.
The Special Issue Theme: Sporting Cultures of New Zealand and the Pacific
Guest editor Malcolm MacLean, affiliated with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, frames the issue around the diverse sporting practices that define the Pacific Basin and Rim. The call notes that recent scholarship has illuminated processes such as the indigenisation of cricket into kilikiti or kirikiti, transnational flows in American football, evolving understandings of surfing history, and the often-overlooked contributions of women in Pacific sport. These developments signal a vibrant moment for sports scholarship in the region.
Key Topics Welcomed in Submissions
Contributors are encouraged to address transnational sporting identities and cultures, sport within Pasifika and Māori diasporas, rituals and traditional physical practices, the global circulation of Indigenous Pasifika activities, literatures of Pacific sport, digital and visual methodologies, heritage and public history including museums and archives, material cultures of sport, post- and decolonial frameworks, innovative research methodologies, physical cultures amid globalisation and commercialisation, and intersections with environmentalism. Submissions from any career stage are welcome, with particular encouragement for graduate students and early-career researchers.
Relevance to Higher Education in New Zealand
Universities across Aotearoa New Zealand, including those with strong Pacific studies programmes, stand to benefit from this focused collection. The special issue aligns with growing institutional emphasis on Indigenous knowledge systems, decolonial scholarship, and community-engaged research. It provides a platform for academics and PhD candidates to contribute to conversations that intersect sport studies with cultural studies, history, and sociology, potentially informing curriculum development and research priorities at institutions such as the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Otago.
Submission Guidelines and Timeline
Articles should range between 5,000 and 8,000 words including notes and references, accompanied by a short biography, abstract and keywords. They must follow the journal’s house style. Shorter formats such as original interviews, research reports, review essays and exhibition reviews of 1,500 to 4,000 words are also invited. The deadline for submissions is 15 February 2027, with all articles undergoing peer review. Full details and the notes for contributors are available on the journal website.
Broader Context of Pacific Sport Research
Pacific sporting cultures encompass both elite competition and community-based physical practices deeply embedded in cultural, familial and spiritual life. Historical reports on sport and recreation in Pasifika communities have highlighted the central role of family support, culturally aligned programmes, and the influence of church leaders. These foundations continue to inform contemporary research into how sport fosters identity, resilience and social cohesion across the region.
Opportunities for Researchers and PhD Candidates
Early-career scholars and doctoral students working on Pacific themes will find this special issue particularly timely. It offers scope to explore emerging areas such as digital heritage projects, environmental dimensions of traditional games, and the material cultures of sport equipment and venues. Publication in a Scopus-indexed journal can strengthen academic profiles and contribute to the growing body of work that bridges New Zealand and Pacific scholarship.
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Future Outlook for Sports Scholarship in the Region
As Pacific nations navigate globalisation, climate challenges and evolving cultural identities, sport remains a powerful lens for understanding continuity and change. The forthcoming special issue is expected to advance methodological innovation and foster dialogue between established and emerging voices. It underscores the value of interdisciplinary approaches that honour Indigenous perspectives while engaging with international scholarly networks.
How Academics Can Engage
Researchers interested in contributing should review the full call for papers on the Intellect Books site and prepare submissions according to the specified guidelines. The journal also welcomes general submissions outside the special issue theme. Engagement with the New Zealand Studies Association can provide additional networking opportunities for those working in this field.
