About this journal

Aims and scope

Since it was established in the Department of English at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1958, English Studies in Africa has published a number of key interventions in literary studies. The journal has emphasized, as its name attests, the study of world literature in English within African contexts, at the same time as it set about promoting the study of African literature worldwide. Its founding editors clearly wished to establish a conduit between Anglo-American and Southern African literary studies, and this ethos persists, though in a revised form. Despite this commitment to its context, however, English Studies in Africa is unique in its willingness to publish articles on any literary, educational or language topic that the editors adjudge will be of interest to its diverse readership. While articles regarding English-language education and the English language in its various African manifestations are welcomed, contributors should be apprised of the fact that literary studies remain the core concern of the journal.

All articles are double-anonymized peer reviewed, and the journal is listed on both the Arts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI) and is accredited by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training. Guest editors are appointed for special editions of the journal, which alternate with general editions. In addition to the Editors, two Associate Editors and the Editorial Board are responsible for deciding on the themes of special editions and for arbitrating readers’ reports on submissions. The journal has been published by UNISA Press (South Africa) since 2008 and in collaboration with Taylor and Francis since 2009. English Studies in Africa appears biannually.

Journal metrics

Usage

  • 23K annual downloads/views

Citation metrics

  • 0.3 (2023) Impact Factor
  • 0.3 (2023) 5 year IF
  • 0.6 (2023) CiteScore (Scopus)
  • Q1 CiteScore Best Quartile
  • 0.707 (2023) SNIP
  • 0.110 (2023) SJR

Editorial board

Editorial team

Victor Houliston (Consulting Editor)
Karl van Wyk and Grace Musila (Managing Editors)
Esthie Hugo (Associate Editor)

Editorial board

South African members

Margaret Daymond, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Natasha Distiller, Independent Scholar

Ashleigh Harris, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Isabel Hofmeyr, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Victor Houliston, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Hilary Janks, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Dirk Klopper, Rhodes University, South Africa

Nhlanhla Maake, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Sarah Nuttall, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Simon van Schalkwyk, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Merle Williams, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Laurence Wright, Rhodes University, South Africa


International members

David Attwell, University of York, UK

Rita Barnard, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Jacques Berthoud, University of York, UK

Louise Bethlehem, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Josiah Blackmore, Harvard University, USA

Elleke Boehmer, University of London, UK

Timothy Clark, University of Durham, UK

Stephen Donovan, Uppsala University, Sweden

Lars Engle, University of Tulsa, USA

Simon Gikandi, Princeton University, USA

Gareth Griffiths, University of Western Australia, Australia

Stefan Helgesson, Stockholm University, Sweden

Peter Hulme, University of Essex, UK

Yanbin Kang, Tongji University, China

Zoë Norridge, University of York, UK

Ato Quayson, New York University, USA

Meg Samuelson, University of Adelaide, Australia

Mark Sanders, New York University, USA

David Watson, Uppsala University, Sweden

Robert Young, New York University, USA

Open access

English Studies in Africa is a hybrid open access journal that is part of our Open Select publishing program, giving you the option to publish open access. Publishing open access means that your article will be free to access online immediately on publication, increasing the visibility, readership, and impact of your research.

Why choose open access?

  1. Increase the discoverability and readership of your article
  2. Make an impact and reach new readers, not just those with easy access to a research library
  3. Freely share your work with anyone, anywhere
  4. Comply with funding mandates and meet the requirements of your institution, employer or funder
  5. Rigorous peer review for every open access article

Article Publishing Charges (APC)

If you choose to publish open access in this journal you may be asked to pay an Article Publishing Charge (APC). You may be able to publish your article at no cost to yourself or with a reduced APC if your institution or research funder has an open access agreement or membership with Taylor & Francis.

Use our APC finder to calculate your article publishing charge

Advertising information

Would you like to advertise in English Studies in Africa?

Reach an engaged target audience and position your brand alongside authoritative peer-reviewed research by advertising in English Studies in Africa.

Explore advertising solutions

University of the Witwatersrand make every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in our publications. However, University of the Witwatersrand, our agents (including the editor, any member of the editorial team or editorial board, and any guest editors), and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by University of the Witwatersrand. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. University of the Witwatersrand shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to, or arising out of the use of the Content. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions .