Social cohesion, a fundamental sociological concept, seeks to understand how societies can collectively move towards shared goals. Despite its significance, the term remains ambiguously defined, often laden with assumptions and contradictions. Scholars have critiqued the broad nature of some definitions, the conflation with economic objectives, and the assumptions about values and metrics that best represent social cohesion.
In recent discourse, both popular and academic, the relationship between leisure and social cohesion has gained prominence. Policies and studies increasingly recognize social cohesion as a precursor to leisure participation, while leisure-based programs are viewed as potential tools to enhance social cohesion within communities. This intertwined relationship raises several questions: How is social cohesion conceptualized within local leisure programming? How do leisure-related policies define or operationalize social cohesion? How does leisure support social cohesion, and vice versa?
This Special Issue invites scholars to explore and clarify the relationship between leisure and social cohesion.
Potential topics for submission include, but are not limited to:
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- Conceptualizations of social cohesion within leisure programming and policies
- Trends and developments in literature relating to leisure and social cohesion
- Critical evaluations of the assumptions surrounding leisure and social cohesion
- Studies on the impact of social cohesion on leisure participation
- The role of leisure-based programs (e.g., sports, recreation) in enhancing social cohesion
- Evaluations or case studies of specific leisure programs or organizations
- Historical perspectives on the evolution of leisure policies and programming
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We encourage contributions that not only explore these themes but also engage critically with the concept of social cohesion itself, offering new insights and perspectives on how leisure and social cohesion intersect and influence one another.
Authors are invited to submit original research articles, review articles, and theoretical papers. Submissions should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words (excluding references) and should follow the journal’s formatting guidelines. More information can be found here.
Important dates
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- Abstract submission deadline: January 31, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: April 15, 2025
Abstract submission
Abstract should be submitted to the Guest Editors:
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- Louis Moustakas, University of Applied Sciences, Austria
Louis.Moustakas@fh-kufstein.ac.at - Arnost Svoboda, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic
arnost.svoboda@upol.cz
- Louis Moustakas, University of Applied Sciences, Austria
