Previously hosted by Carleton University, the journal is owned by the Canadian Law and Society Association (CLSA) and published in partnership with Cambridge University Press. Its move to uOttawa marks a significant milestone for both the University and the journal.
The transition is headed by Professor João Velloso, Vice-Dean of Graduate Studies, and newly appointed Editor-in-Chief (Innovation and Development) of CJLS/RCDS. Professor Velloso recently secured a SSHRC Aid to Scholarly Journals grant, which will help to establish the journal at uOttawa and support its ongoing growth. This funding enables the journal to explore innovative publishing activities, maintain its commitment to open access, and provide a sustainable platform for high-quality interdisciplinary research in law and society.
“This move is a perfect match,” says Professor Velloso. “uOttawa’s Faculty of Law offers an unparalleled environment for research, mentorship, and innovation, providing the journal with the resources and intellectual community it needs to thrive.”
The journal will benefit from uOttawa’s large and research-intensive environment, which includes over 130 full-time professors across its Civil Law and Common Law Sections, not to mention six Canada Research Chairs, multiple endowed and university-level chairs, and leading law-focused research centres. The Faculty’s graduate program brings together nearly 300 graduate students from over 40 countries. Such a rich academic environment promises to enhance the journal’s long-term sustainability, bilingualism, and international visibility.
The move to uOttawa will also strengthen the journal’s editorial and mentorship programs. Our graduate students will have the opportunity to do internships at the journal and gain hands-on experience in managing, reviewing, and promoting scholarly work, further integrating the journal into the University’s academic life. Moreover, the journal’s editorial team already includes the Faculty’s Vice-Deans of Research, Professor Suzanne Bouclin of the Common Law Section and Professor Pascale Cornut St-Pierre of the Civil law Section (who is also responsible for French book reviews). This close involvement reflects the Faculty of Law’s long-standing commitment to law and society scholarship and the growing integration of research leadership with graduate studies.
The CJLS/RCDS has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1986 at the University of Calgary, it has been a leading platform for interdisciplinary research on law and society, publishing original scholarship in sociology, political science, criminology, anthropology, history, and law. Since January 2023, the journal has been fully online and open access, ensuring that its research reaches the widest possible audience while reducing its carbon footprint.
“This is not just a win for uOttawa,” says Professor Velloso. “The journal will benefit from the University’s research infrastructure, diverse and engaged faculty, and dynamic graduate community. It allows us to further develop innovative initiatives such as providing collaborative opportunities to scholars from underrepresented countries, strengthening the journal’s impact nationally and internationally.”
With this new chapter, CJLS/RCDS and the University of Ottawa are poised for growth, innovation, and continued leadership in the field of law and society.