Journal of Deliberative Democracy

Aims & Scope

The Journal of Deliberative Democracy (JDD) is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed open‑access journal dedicated to advancing the study of deliberative and participatory democracy. Situated at the intersection of theory, empirical research, and democratic innovation in action, JDD provides a forum for rigorous scholarship and critical reflection grounded in real‑world democratic practice. JDD is committed to bridging academic and practical knowledge, and to enabling conversations across disciplinary, sectoral, and geographical boundaries. It publishes cutting‑edge research that engages with normative theories of deliberation while remaining attentive to how deliberative ideals are interpreted, contested, and realised in concrete political contexts. JDD seeks to foster sustained dialogue not only between researchers but also practitioners, policymakers, and civil society actors. A defining feature of JDD is its strong normative commitment to the core values of deliberative democracy, such as inclusivity, equity, and collective learning. The journal recognises that these ideals often sit in tension with the realities of academic publishing and treats deliberative democratic values not only as objects of study, but also as guiding principles for editorial practice. We aim to promote research and publishing practices that strengthen inclusion, transparency and impact. Inclusion JDD is committed to broadening participation in academic publishing and to strengthening voices and perspectives that have historically been marginalised within the field. The journal actively seeks contributions from scholars and practitioners beyond Western‑based academia, supports Early Career Researchers, and values diverse intellectual traditions, epistemologies, and methodological approaches. Efforts to diversify and decolonise knowledge production underpin the journal’s editorial orientation. We have launched regular Special Feature papers, through which the journal seeks to enhance the global visibility of deliberative and participatory practices, particularly those emerging in regions and political contexts that remain under‑represented in academic debates. Transparency JDD aims to be at the forefront of ethical research and publication practices. The journal actively promotes open access research, transparency, research integrity, and methodological reflexivity, including through study protocols and reflections on innovative or adapted methods for researching and practising deliberative and participatory processes. By doing so, the journal seeks to support cumulative knowledge building, replicability, and critical engagement with how democratic innovations are studied and evaluated. Impact JDD is committed to strengthening both the academic and societal impact of research on deliberative democracy. The journal encourages engagement with related disciplines, including political science, public policy, public administration, urban governance, and human geography, and it supports interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogue through dedicated thematic issues. Beyond academia, JDD aims to serve as a key venue for research and practice on democratic innovations. Through its Reflections from the Field section, the journal actively invites contributions that also speak to practitioners and policymakers. The Journal is also home to the Deliberative Democracy Digest , publishing short non-academic articles on a monthly basis to facilitate knowledge exchange across the field. As participatory and deliberative processes continue to expand across democratic and non‑democratic settings, and across different levels of governance, JDD aims to play a central role in deepening understanding of these developments, advancing normative and empirical scholarship, amplifying marginalised perspectives, and fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors. Through this work, the journal contributes to widening the scope, reach, and democratic impact of citizen participation and deliberation worldwide.

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Source: OpenAlex · Note: citations accumulate over time so older years appear higher

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Subject Classification