Issue 2: Call for Submissions

The Deaf Studies Digital Journal (DSDJ) is a peer-reviewed, online journal dedicated to advancing the cultural, creative and critical output of work in and about signed languages and their communities. Unlike other journals, Deaf Studies Digital Journal is a multilingual publication featuring work in American Sign Language and English, as well as other international signed and written languages. The Deaf Studies Digital Journal features critical essays in Deaf Cultural Studies, original works of signed literature, visual art, film, video, interviews, reviews, historical sources, and community news. The contributions to this journal will create a body of critical and creative work in Deaf Studies while furthering innovative ways of publishing in signed languages.

Articles: Special Topic - Science and the Senses
In order to increase the spectrum of Deaf Studies research, this special issue themed “Science and the Senses” seeks to enrich the exchange between science and inquiry into Deaf ways of being-in-the-world. Deaf Studies Digital Journal is seeking submissions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Visual/spatial/kinesthetic cognition
• Neuroplasticity
• Gesture and cognition
• Psychosocial development
• Deaf epistemologies
• Sign language acquisition
• Bimodal bilingualism
• Cognitive linguistics
• Visual literacy

Since Deaf Studies Digital Journal is a bilingual journal featuring articles in ASL and English, we welcome collaborative works in which an ASL fluent signer composes the signed version and an English fluent writer composes the written version.

Deaf Studies Digital Journal also seeks submissions from community members, artists, scholars, filmmakers, researchers, educators and degree-pursuing students for the following categories:

Commentary: This category is where scholars, advocates, and community members can express different views on prevailing social issues, especially contemporary issues affecting or influencing the Deaf Community. We welcome commentaries on education, politics, community advocacy work, technological innovations, cultural narratives, and emerging trends. All are subjected to editorial review.

Literature: This includes storytelling, poetry, drama, essays, creative non-fiction, and performance art. We will also consider works in other sign languages as well as works using gestural communication, and visual vernacular. Literary works will not be translated, unless a translation is submitted by the artist(s). Authors may submit a personal statement along with their creative works that would enable non-signers to gain a point of entry into the texts.

Visual Arts: This includes a variety of artistic genres; photography, painting, drawing, installations, sculpture, web-art, animation.

Film & Video: Films up to approximately 30 minutes in length are preferable. For longer films, please contact us to discuss possibilities. Categories include documentary, drama, enthographic studies, shorts, comedy, political, social events, avant garde, and experimental films.

Interviews: This category emphasizes the importance of topic; in-depth discussions in different formats, including panel interviews and site specific interviews.

Reviews: Assessment and critical review of books, articles, film, video, art, performances, and other texts of relevance to Deaf Cultural Studies. Should be approximately five minutes in length.
History: Analyses, chronological narratives and more, on topics relevant to Deaf Studies. It can be on films, art, books, photography, private collections, and research studies.

Community: News, announcements, events, including Media Watch and Protest Watch.

For more information on submitting to Deaf Studies Digital Journal, see the website, and look for the “Submission” button.  Questions? Email dsdj@gallaudet.edu for answers. We welcome your expression of interest anytime. Starting today!