It is our great pleasure to introduce ourselves as your new editors for Studies in Family Planning. We are fortunate to take over this role from Jeffrey “Bart” Bingenheimer, who excellently served as editor of the journal from 2017 to 2022 (and as an editorial committee member for years before that). During Bart’s tenure, Studies in Family Planning significantly expanded its role as a key resource in sexual and reproductive health for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners around the world. We sincerely thank him for his many contributions, which will serve as inspiration and guidance in the years to come. We also thank the SFP Editorial Committee for their longstanding commitment to the journal and for maintaining a consistently high editorial standard. Finally, we express our thanks to authors, reviewers, guest editors, and Population Council staff, who have provided invaluable contributions and steadfast support to the journal. The success of Studies in Family Planning depends on this community.
We are committed to Studies in Family Planning remaining dedicated to publishing high-quality health, social and biomedical research on sexual and reproductive health, fertility, family planning, HIV/AIDS, abortion, maternal/child health, and other related topics. As one of the top-ranked journals in demography, sociology, and the social sciences, Studies has been recognized as a leading academic and policy resource for family planning and reproductive health research and commentary. The journal has cultivated a reputation of supporting global, policy-relevant research, and is known for being accessible to a broad audience. We will continue to ensure that Studies in Family Planning adheres to the highest possible scientific and ethical standards as we seek to grow the journal’s presence by identifying and leveraging new opportunities for growth.
Given the position that Studies holds as a premier journal in global family planning and reproductive health, a field that has neglected the concerns and contributions of historically marginalized populations, particularly in the Global South, we see issues of inclusivity, access, and voice as key priorities for the journal and editorial leadership. In recognition of issues of injustice and exclusions, we are committed to efforts that continue to reduce inequalities. We will actively support scholarship that speaks to historically excluded or neglected populations and settings.
We will also make it a priority to continue to expand the journal’s outreach, both to engage with readers and to increase the journal’s visibility. In addition, we are keen to provide guidance and support to early career researchers and scholars with limited opportunities to publish in high-impact scientific journals. We believe these types of initiatives provide a valuable public good to the Studies community at large. Noting the considerable interest in and submissions to Studies’ open call for the March 2023 special issue, Indicators in Sexual and Reproductive Health, we continue to welcome proposals for special issues that bring greater attention to the key themes, methodologies, and domains of scholarship in our field.
We also recognize the need to be responsive to a rapidly changing environment for scholarship and publishing in sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice, an environment that is characterized by fewer journals and changing social, political, and ethical trends in publishing. As your editors, we will strive to remain true to strong scientific tradition and will continue to uphold high ethical standards while publishing thought-provoking, evidence-based ideas that advance sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. Contributions to the journal are substantively diverse, advance theoretical developments, and are methodologically rigorous; these are strengths we will continue to advance.
This is an exciting time for the journal and we are eager to contribute to the exceptional Studies’ community in the years to come. We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Victoria Boydell is a lecturer in global public health in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex. Mahesh Karra is an assistant professor of global development policy at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. Francis Obare is an associate at the Population Council.