Mobilization: A Leading Academic Journal for Social Movement Studies

Mobilization: A Leading Academic Journal for Social Movement Studies

In the field of sociology, understanding how groups organize to create change is essential. Mobilization serves as a premier academic venue for this exploration, publishing original research and comprehensive book reviews focused on protests, social movements, and collective behavior—the coordinated actions of groups to achieve a specific goal.

Key Facts

  • Focus: Sociological research on protests and collective behavior.
  • Established: 1996 by Hank Johnston.
  • Publisher: San Diego State University, United States.
  • Frequency: Quarterly publication.
  • Impact Factor: 1.5 (2022).
  • Current Leadership: Edited by Neal Caren, with Catherine Corrigall-Brown as the incoming editor-in-chief.

History and Evolution

Founded in 1996 by Hank Johnston of San Diego State University, Mobilization has grown steadily in both scope and frequency. During Johnston's eleven-year tenure as editor, the publication transitioned from releasing two issues per year to three, eventually becoming a quarterly journal starting with volume eleven.

Following Johnston, the journal was led by Daniel J. Myers and Rory McVeigh, both from the University of Notre Dame. Today, the journal is edited by Neal Caren of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with Catherine Corrigall-Brown of the University of British Columbia slated to take over as editor-in-chief.

Academic Standing and Influence

Mobilization is recognized as a cornerstone of sociological literature. In the book The History of Social Movements in Global Perspective, authors Stefan Berger and Holger Nehrin identified it as one of the "main academic journals" in the field, alongside Social Movement Studies and the open-access journal Interface: A Journal for and About Social Movements.

The journal's influence is further reflected in its metrics. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it held a 2019 impact factor of 1.327, ranking 76th out of 150 journals in the "Sociology" category. This positioned it as the second-highest impact journal specifically dedicated to social movement studies, trailing only Social Movement Studies.

Mobilization Journal Overview
Detail Information
ISSN (Print/Web) 1938-1514 / 1086-671X
LCCN 96657487
OCLC Number 34054323
Indexing Scopus, JSTOR, NLM, CODEN, MIAR
Language English

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of the journal Mobilization?

The journal focuses on publishing original sociological research and academic book reviews regarding protests, social movements, and collective behavior.

Who founded the journal and when?

Mobilization was established in 1996 by Hank Johnston of San Diego State University.

How often is the journal published?

The journal is currently published on a quarterly basis.

How does Mobilization rank among sociology journals?

As of 2019, it ranked 76th out of 150 journals in the Sociology category according to Journal Citation Reports and is the second-highest impact journal in the specific field of social movement studies.

Who are the current and incoming editors?

The current editor-in-chief is Neal Caren, and the incoming editor-in-chief is Catherine Corrigall-Brown.