SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education

We cordially invite you to submit your research paper for possible inclusion in a special issue of SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education. SCHOLE serves as a platform for disseminating innovative studies that “address a wide range of issues concerning graduate and undergraduate education pertaining to courses, curricula, teaching, mentorship, and learning.”

The theme of this special issue is "Battling the Bans: Leisure Studies and Recreation Education in an Anti-Equity Era." Globally, we observe legislation and policy shifts that challenge the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (JEDIA) in leisure studies, recreation education, and related fields. The US Supreme Court's decision to strike down Affirmative Action in college admissions, the ongoing immigration crises in both Europe and other international borders, and restrictive policies in various nations targeting historically excluded groups, are but a few examples that demonstrate this regressive trend. Further, tensions in various regions are intricately linked to legislation intended to limit or entirely remove units, programs, and educational priorities that bolster JEDIA on campus and more broadly in our local, national, and international communities. Many leisure, sport, parks, recreation, and tourism faculty (and programs as a whole) remain committed to advancing JEDIA on our campuses, in our classrooms, and in community places and programming. This work occurs despite grappling with the larger discourse and legislation that intends to harm and dehumanize people.

We welcome submissions on various topics related to leisure studies and recreation education in a higher education landscape that is intentionally limiting JEDIA education. The areas of interest for this special journal issue include, but is not limited to, how has this changing landscape impacted:

1. Interdisciplinary education in leisure studies, recreation education, and related fields.
2. Pedagogical techniques and learning activities designed to support diverse ways of knowing, what counts for knowledge, and how to assess learning.
3. Connecting leisure classrooms to higher education admissions.
4. Well-being of faculty and students.
5. Student and faculty experiences (and management of experiences) at the university and colleges.
6. Creation of advocacy groups among students and faculty.
7. The implications of limiting JEDIA education.
8. Best practices for teaching JEDIA principles within a constrained legislative environment.

Authors are encouraged to explore innovative perspectives and present original research findings that advance our understanding of leisure studies, recreation education and affiliated fields of study in the current global higher education landscape. Submissions must adhere to the journal's guidelines for formatting and style.

Important Dates:

• Abstract submission deadline: [31 March 2024]
• Paper submission deadline: [1 June 2024]
• Notification of acceptance: [1 November 2024]
• Final manuscript submission: [1 December 2024]
• Expected publication of the special issue: [1 February 2025]

Expressions of interest are welcome in the form of an abstract to be sent to the Guest Editors. Abstracts should include the title, author(s) & affiliation(s) and contact information (including the email addresses of all authors). All full papers submitted will be subject to the normal peer review processes of Schole.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this special issue of the SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education. For further information and submission guidelines, please visit the journal's website or contact the Guest Editor listed below.

Guest Editor:

Mariela Fernandez: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Andrew Mauldin: Lipscomb University

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article