New journal provides global forum for work on labour issues

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/gljournal.jpg” caption=”Global Labour Journal, a new, open access, academic journal with a multi-disciplinary scope, which explores the ways that labour activities and globalization processes shape each other, is hosted by McMaster University Library’s Digital Commons.”]Today marks the launch of Global Labour Journal, a new, open access, academic journal with a multi-disciplinary scope, which explores the ways that labour activities and globalization processes shape each other. The new online journal, hosted by McMaster University Library's Digital Commons, will provide a worldwide forum for the diverse scholarly work emerging on global labour issues.

A truly global undertaking, the editorship of Global Labour is shared between McMaster University's Charlotte Yates, dean of social sciences, Robert O'Brien, professor of political science, and Edward Webster from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Developing an electronic journal, as opposed to a traditional print journal was an appealing concept, according to O'Brien.

“Having this online format allows us to function independently from a large publishing house. We can maintain control of the intellectual process and quality, but also have the freedom to create author and reader friendly policies – such as allowing authors to retain copyright and providing free global access.”

As another consequence, added Yates, “Open access ensures that students from across the globe, regardless of their financial means or institutional affiliation, can read this journal.”

One of the goals of the partnership between the southern and northern universities is to increase the flow of ideas and discussion between different parts of the globe. This is especially important for scholars based in the global south who face obstacles inserting themselves in northern dialogues and for people based in the global north who lack access to perspectives and ideas from the majority of the world's population.

“This first issue of Global Labour really is an amazing event,” said Webster, the publication's editor-in-chief. “The launch of a cross-country collaborative journal by two leading universities, one in the global north, and one in the global south, in an innovative electronic journal examining one of the key issues of our time – the challenges facing the world of work and labour in the age of globalization.”

The premier issue of Global Labour is a special issue on globalization and labour in India and China.

“This issue is incredibly timely as the eyes of Canadian and world leaders turn to China and India on questions of economic growth, ecological politics and the shift in global power,” said Yates. “These articles take a critical look at the impact of economic liberalism on these two countries, and the ways in which globalization has shaped their growth. We're thrilled to be launching the journal with this material.”

Because Global Labour is an open access journal, its content is freely available online via the GL website.

Questions and/or submissions to Global Labour Journal can be directed to the editorial office at globallabour@mcmaster.ca. For inquiries regarding McMaster University Library's journal hosting platform, Digital Commons, please contact Anne Pottier at pottier@mcmaster.ca.