Cultural Studies understands the term 'culture' inclusively rather than exclusively, and publishes essays which encourage significant intellectual and political experimentation, intervention and dialogue. Special issues focus on specific topics, often not traditionally associated with cultural studies, and occasional issues present a body of work from a particular national, ethnic or special tradition.

The journal represents the truly international and interdisciplinary nature of contemporary work in cultural studies, and since its inception in 1987, has reflected the discipline in becoming ever more global in scope and perspective(s).

Cultural Studies welcomes work covering a range of topics and styles, and invites articles, reviews, critiques, photographs and other forms of 'cultural' and 'intellectual' production.

Celebrating 20 years of Cultural Studies with Routledge in 2006

I was first introduced to cultural studies about thirty-five years ago, when no one quite knew what it was. It was a project. It had its enemies, on the left, and in the disciplines. Maybe not that much has changed. After all, cultural studies is still almost impossible to define, especially given the enormous diversity of work that is carried on in its name. And it has even more enemies—on the left and in the disciplines, and now we can always add various conservative fractions. Yet, everything has changed. By many quantitative measures, cultural studies has become a success—it has a real presence in the academy and in publications. Its audiences and outlets have exploded. When Cultural Studies first began publishing over twenty years ago, there were no other outlets. Now there are more than anyone can keep up with. More importantly, cultural studies as a transdisciplinary formation and practice has transformed many of our most basic disciplinary and political practices and assumptions. And despite the many misappropriations and misrepresentations of cultural studies, I now understand that it is precisely as a project—a radically contextual practice of the articulation of knowledge and power-- that cultural studies will continue to challenge dominant intellectual and political practices, and to look to the possibilities of the future. As the world speeds into a increasingly precarious and inhumane future, I still believe, as I did thirty five years ago, that cultural studies has something to contribute to making another future possible.

Lawrence Grossberg, Editor, Cultural Studies