The International Journal on Responsibility (IJR) is an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary forum for theoretical, practical, and methodological explorations into the various and complex issues of responsibility. Animated by the question, “Who or what is responsible to do what for whom?” IJR is a broad-ranging journal that incorporates insights from the full range of academic and practical inquiry from the humanities and the social and natural sciences related to addressing the diverse aspects of responsibility. Affiliated with the Gandhi Center and published by JMU (James Madison University) Libraries, IJR is an open access journal that does not charge production costs. It is listed in Ulrich’s Periodicals directory.

IJR publishes scholarship and creative works on responsibility. The contents examine intellectual, practical, policy and ethical issues relating to responsibility. In addition, the journal encourages research and reporting on ways in which responsibility relates to issues ranging from the individual to broad public concern, past, present, and future. Themes include the use of responsibility in academic and nonacademic settings; the development of new perspectives on the topic of responsibility; the application of a focus on responsibility in practical problems; and, the historical and interdisciplinary dimensions of responsibility.

Questions about thematic content regarding a potential submission or to suggest a potential issue should be directed to the Editor, Dr. Heather L. Scheuerman. Questions concerning the manuscript submission process or a submitted article should be directed to the Managing Editor, Sylvia J. Whitney Beitzel.

Support for this journal has been made possible by the Redekop Family Foundation.

The forthcoming sixth volume focuses on the various responsibilities criminal justice agents have for producing just outcomes in the criminal justice system. Guest edited by Dr. Heather L. Scheuerman (James Madison University), contributors to this special issue cover a wide range of topics illustrating the complexities of responsibility for law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. Specifically, the issue will discuss responsibilities of 1) police in field booking arrests; 2) appellate courts in responding to prosecutorial misconduct; 3) how attorneys and advocates view judicial responsibilities to understanding technology in cyberstalking and cyberharassment cases; 4) probation officers in sentencing recommendations; 5) the surety in the Canadian bail system; and 6) the influence of prior legal background on judicial sentencing considerations. 

Submit an article for consideration here.