Foreword.
Graycar, Adam
In the world of academic publishing new journals appear every day.
Some will go on to make distinguished contributions, others will fall by
the wayside. All of us associated with the Australian Journal of Social
Issues (AJSI) are thrilled that it has reached the significant and
impressive milestone of publishing this anniversary issue to mark volume
50. The AJSI is the only Australian journal focused on publishing
research on social policy and social justice.
In 1961, when the social policy and political landscape was very
different to what it is today, a need was seen by those who had the
vision for a journal that would make an academic contribution, and that
would also relate its research to the policy issues with which
academics, practitioners and policy people were grappling. More than
fifty years on, this is still an essential role for this journal.
This vision is embodied by the process of the journal's
establishment--by a joint committee of the Department of Social Work at
the University of Sydney and the Australian Association of Social
Workers, NSW Branch. Volume 1 comprised four issues published over
several years (between Spring 1961 and Spring 1963). Volume 4 was the
first to appear in a single calendar year. This explains why volume 50
comes in the journal's 55th year. The first issue of the journal
focused entirely on the city of Sydney. Over the years the journal has
developed an expanded national focus and it is our hope that, in the
future, we will see more international contributors and a greater
comparative context for articles, while firmly retaining the
journal's intrinsically Australian flavour.
Given the importance of building a bridge between academia and
policy, it was fortunate and prescient that ACOSS (The Australian
Council of Social Service) took on the publication in the early years of
this important journal. ACOSS--a dynamic advocacy peak NGO that has
always distinguished itself by recognising the importance of
evidence-based policy--was the publisher of the journal for most of the
last 50 years. The journal was one instrument in assembling and
promulgating the evidence that is vital to social policy. We all owe
ACOSS a huge debt of gratitude for their support for the AJSI through
thick and thin.
Following a brief transition period, the Australian Social Policy
Association assumed ownership of the journal in 2012. It is fitting that
the leading professional body in social policy, comprising academics,
practitioners, and policy people should own this journal and promote it
as a vehicle with which to extend research and ideas. As President of
the Association, my wish is that the journal continues for many decades
to come, and reaches out with integrity and authority.
This will happen if it is supported by the membership and maintains
its reputation as a journal that does not compromise standards, and
contributes effectively to our knowledge base. At a personal level I am
delighted to see the longevity of the journal. I published for the first
time in the AJSI in volume 6, number 2, and have always regarded it as a
treasure. I hope you will all join with me in supporting the journal
through its next phase and see it proceed from strength to strength.
Greater wealth, inequality, diversity and uncertainty present
increasingly complex challenges to policy conceptualisation and
implementation. It is hoped that all those who read this journal will be
better equipped to understand and respond to these challenges.
In order to commemorate this 50th anniversary volume, the
Association has created the 'Peter Saunders prize' for the
best paper published in the journal in a calendar year. The inaugural
prize will be awarded at the Australian Social Policy Conference, to be
held in Sydney later this year, serving to stamp a mark of policy
excellence on the preeminent annual contribution.
Adam Graycar
President, Australian Social Policy Association
