About the Journal

Aims and Scope

Kairos: A Journal of Critical Symposium (Open Access) is the flagship publication of the Postcolonial Studies Association of the Global South (PSAGS) and in that capacity, it represents the respective viewpoints and positions of the association. Drawing inspiration from its Greek origins, meaning ‘opportunity’ or ‘supreme movement’, Kairos aims to carve out a singular niche by turning attention to issue and problem based themes that concern both humanities and social sciences, but cannot be addressed within the conventional disciplinary frames. In particular, it seizes upon the emerging modes of cultural and political resistance in the domains of literature, theory and the discourses of social justice in the Global South. In so doing, it positions itself in the intersections of Postcolonial Literatures, Global South Studies, Development Theory, and Social Movements Studies. Its primary areas of focus are:

• decolonization and re-colonization (e.g. Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan);

• internal colonialism(s); tribal, indigenous and minority resistance;

• insurgency, political violence and discourses of terrorism;

• new technologies of warfare (drones, autonomous weapons and espionage);

• the rise of the popular right, social-media propaganda and internet activism (e.g. Wikileaks, ‘whistle-blowing’);

• environmental movements and resource-based struggles;

• gender and queer movements in the Global South;

• diaspora, exile, ethnic displacement and forced migration;

• existing and emerging tropes of peripherality (e.g. affective labour, stateless subjects); and

• alternative voices within the literary-cultural canon

In addition, Kairos engages with new areas of concern in the Global South; the arrival of Chinese capitalism in Africa; South-South solidarity between Africa, Asia and Latin America; the marginalization of Southern Europe within the European Union; the struggles of Indigenous peoples for collective rights and autonomy, and all other subjugated voices, even those within the ‘First World’ – the subalternised global world.

Submission

Kairos welcomes original, unpublished submissions from interested academics, independent scholars and activists that address the journal’s focus. In addition to academic essays, Kairos also publishes review essays, journalistic and reportage works, field reports, and upon on invitation, interviews with public intellectuals and activists.  All submissions will be double-blind peer reviewed before acceptance.

Frequency

Currently, Kairos publishes a single issue per year. Starting in 2021, it will be increased to two; an open issue and a special issue.

Peer Review Process

All submissions will be sent for double-blind peer review. The peer review process generally takes four months from the date of submission.

Book reviews submitted to Kairos will be reviewed by internal editors before being accepted.

Open Access Policy

Kairos provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that research should be freely accessible to the public. Kairos adheres to the policies and practises of the NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).