British Art Studies is an innovative space for new peer-reviewed scholarship on all aspects of British art, prioritising research that tests the boundaries of “British” as a category and reflects critically on methods in art history.

We are seeking proposals for guest-edited special issues to be published in 2027 and 2028.

OUR PRIORITIES
We welcome proposals that generate new questions and methods in the field of British art studies, and shed new light on works of art and related primary sources. Themes may focus on, or move between, particular periods, media, disciplines, or geographic locations. We especially encourage ideas that invite debate and collaboration.

In evaluating proposals, we will prioritise those that:
deal with a major topic in the field, including ones not yet well-represented in our backlist
aspire to be a definitive resource on their subject
reflect critically on methods in art history
test the boundaries of “British” as a category
generate thematic or disciplinary crossovers within the humanities
demonstrate how they will benefit from digital publication
make use of BAS feature formats

GUEST EDITORS
Guest editors shape a special issue’s intellectual direction, working closely with the BAS editorial team to commission contributions, provide editorial feedback, and develop content for publication. Guest editors each receive a fee of £1,000 on publication.

SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSAL
Proposals should explain, in 1,000 words, the proposed issue’s central themes, problems, and ideas. Please situate the theme within a wider context and describe the ideal shape and scale of the volume.

Proposals should be sent to the editors at journal@paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk
by Monday 1 December 2025.

Those selected for peer review will receive feedback in January 2026. On the basis of revised proposals due in February 2026, the BAS editorial team will make a final selection by 2 March 2026.