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Ryerson University launches first open access fashion journal

Fashion academia journal to analyze fashion in an interdisciplinary manner, available at no cost to contributors and readers
May 16, 2017

TORONTO, May 16, 2017 --- The FCAD Centre for Fashion Diversity and Social Change is launching Fashion Studies, the first open access fashion journal, in an effort to make fashion research and creative work more accessible to educators, students, policymakers, industry, media and the general public. The journal seeks to reimagine the often elitist and exclusionary industry into a more equitable, just and inclusive place that harnesses Canada’s greatest asset: diversity.

Led by FCAD professors Ben Barry and Alison Matthews David, Fashion Studies is available at no cost to readers or authors. Featuring innovative work that invokes a critical study of fashion and its intersections with other industries without barriers and paywalls, the journal aims to examine the relationship between fashion, diversity and social change. The journal creates a platform for academics and creators to fuel Canada’s fashion industry and cultural sector by covering such topics as:

●     Fashion and equality
●     Fashion and the environment
●     Fashion inclusion and representation
●     Fashion, identity and the body
●     Fashion and political change
●     Indigenous fashion

Professor Matthews David explains that, “Fashion Studies has managed to bridge social sciences and humanities research. We founded this journal because we feel that creative and arts-based work should also be welcomed with open arms.” This comes as the federal government is exploring ways to make sweeping changes to Canada’s cultural sector, aimed in part at improving access to the fashion industry and cultural sector in Canada.

Scientific publishing is considered to be one of the most profitable and successful business practices. Unlike traditional journals, which often charge readers hefty fees to access journal content, open access journals provide content for free to the general public— most of whom do not have access to expensive journal subscriptions. As Barry argues, “The production and dissemination of academic knowledge shouldn't be for profit, but for public good. Fashion Studies celebrates multiple ways of knowing and of sharing that knowledge.”

Fashion Studies will accept hybrid work combining various methods and approaches, including academic papers, creative work and interviews, and will be published annually. Acceptance is based on a double-blind peer-review process by top scholarly and creative academics. Creators can make a submission at: www.fashionstudies.ca (external link) 

The Fashion Studies Editorial Board is made up of world-renowned and emerging scholars, creative practitioners and curators:

●     Dr. Liudmila Aliabieva; Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences
●     Dr. Shahidha Bari; Queen Mary University of London
●     Dr. Ben Barry (Co-Editor); Ryerson University
●     Dr. Eliza Chandler; Ryerson University
●     Dr. Kathryn Church; Ryerson University
●     Professor Hazel Clark; Parsons the New School
●     Chanel Clarke; Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira/Auckland War Memorial Museum
●     Dr. Shaun Cole; London College of Fashion
●     Dr. Alison Matthews David (Co-Editor); Ryerson University
●     Hilary Davidson; the University of Sydney
●     Clarissa Esguerra; LA County Museum of Art
●     Professor Caroline Evans; Central Saint Martins
●     Dr. Tanisha C. Ford; University of Delaware
●     Professor Irene Gammel; Ryerson University
●     Dr. Denise Green; Cornell University
●     Professor Susan Kaiser; University of California Davis
●     Professor Beverly Lemire; University of Alberta
●     Roger Leong; Powerhouse Museum
●     Dr. Nigel Lezama; Brock University
●     Ryan Rice; OCAD University
●     Dr. Marie Riegels Melchior; the Saxo Institute
●     Dr. Christina Moon; Parsons the New School
●     Dr. Madison Moore; King’s College London
●     Dr. Andy Reilly; University of Hawaii at Manoa
●     Dr. Timo Rissanen; Parsons the New School
●     Dr. Agnès Rocamora; London College of Fashion
●     Dr. Megan Strickfaden; University of Alberta
●     Dr. Carla Taunton; NSCAD University
●     Dr. Sophie Woodward; University of Manchester

About FCAD The Faculty of Communication and Design is the cultural and creative hub at Ryerson University. With its nine prestigious schools in media and creative industries, FCAD’s interdisciplinary innovation and education are shaping the future of the creative industries.

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 41,500 students, including 2,400 master's and PhD students, 3,200 faculty and staff, and nearly 170,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.torontomu.ca

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dasha Pasiy
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
416.979.5000 x 2126
dasha1.pasiy@torontomu.ca