1. Brief Introduction

Agricultural & Rural Studies (A&R, ISSN 2959-9784) is an exclusively digital, open-access (OA) journal dedicated to advancing scholarship in agricultural and rural studies. Quarterly publishing diverse content types—including perspective, review, original research, and commentary articles—the journal strives to serve as an efficient, professional, and innovative platform that fosters rigorous dialogue, knowledge dissemination, and collaborative progress within the field.

A&R is a double-blind peer-reviewed, internationally oriented scholarly journal dedicated to advancing rigorous, interdisciplinary research on agricultural systems, rural development, and the lives, livelihoods, and policies shaping farming communities worldwide. Rooted in the social sciences—encompassing economics, sociology, human geography, and cognate disciplines—the journal serves as a global platform for disseminating original, high-impact scholarship that bridges theoretical innovation with empirical inquiry.

A&R: Core Features

(1) Interdisciplinary Scope: A&R centers on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary inquiry, integrating insights from economics, sociology, human geography, and cognate disciplines to address pressing contemporary issues in agriculture, rural development, and farmer-related policies—bridging theoretical frameworks to advance holistic understandings of these dynamic systems.

(2) Global Editorial Excellence: The journal is guided by a distinguished, highly specialized, and globally diverse editorial board, ensuring rigorous peer review, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with international scholarly standards.

(3) Culture-Driven Operations: Rooted in our mission, vision, and values, cultural stewardship lies at the core of A&R’s identity. Our unwavering commitment to ethical principles, community engagement, and purposeful impact permeates every facet of the journal’s operations.

(4) Sustainable Non-Profit Model: No Article Publishing Charges (APC) for the first four years. Beyond this, it will maintain a reasonable level of APC for authors worldwide in the future.

(5) Fully Independent OA Platform: As an independent OA publication (https://sccpress.com/ars), A&R prioritizes equitable global access to scholarship while actively promoting your work to a worldwide audience, maximizing its reach and impact.

(6) Tailored Publication Support: Committed to fostering a seamless research journey, A&R offers comprehensive, efficient, and professional editorial services. Recognizing the unique demands of each study, our dedicated team provides structured guidance—from refining article frameworks to managing references—simplifying the publication process and empowering authors to focus on their core scholarship.

2. Aims and Scope

A&R is a double-blind peer-reviewed, internationally oriented scholarly journal dedicated to advancing rigorous, interdisciplinary research on agricultural systems, rural development, and the lives, livelihoods, and policies shaping farming communities worldwide. Rooted in the social sciences—encompassing economics, sociology, human geography, and cognate disciplines—the journal serves as a global platform for disseminating original, high-impact scholarship that bridges theoretical innovation with empirical inquiry.

Aims

A&R seeks to:

· Foster critical dialogue on contemporary challenges and opportunities in agriculture and rural contexts, from local to global scales.

· Promote methodologically robust research—encompassing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches—that generates actionable insights for academia, policymakers, and practitioners.

· Highlight interdisciplinary perspectives to address complex issues at the intersection of agrarian systems, rural societies, and policy frameworks.

· Amplify diverse voices, ensuring representation of marginalized regions, communities, and stakeholders in scholarly discourse.

Scope

A&R prioritizes, but is not confined to, research that engages with the following thematic areas:

· Agricultural Systems & Sustainability: Studies on sustainable farming practices, agroecology, climate resilience, and the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of agricultural production and food systems.

· Rural Development & Livelihoods: Analyses of rural economic transformations, poverty alleviation strategies, rural-urban linkages, and the socio-cultural dynamics of rural communities.

· Farmer Well-being & Equity: Investigations into farmer agency, gender and social inclusion, labor dynamics, and the impacts of policies on rural households and vulnerable groups.

· AI Innovation & Technology: Research on smart agriculture, precision farming, rural e-commerce, and the socio-institutional implications of AI tools for agricultural and rural development.

· Policy & Governance: Evaluations of agricultural and rural policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, and regulatory mechanisms, with attention to their effectiveness, equity, and adaptability across contexts.

· Emergent Challenges & Opportunities: Explorations of transformative trends—from biotechnological advancements to climate adaptation—to understand their potential to reshape agricultural and rural futures.

A&R prioritizes empirical research that connects localized insights to broader theoretical or policy debates, as well as critical reviews, case studies, and methodological innovations. All submissions undergo rigorous peer review to ensure scholarly excellence, relevance, and clarity. By bridging discipline boundaries and fostering global dialogue, A&R aims to be a cornerstone of interdisciplinary scholarship in agricultural and rural studies.

3. A Roadmap to Publication

4. Journal Culture

(1) Mission

To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth; to secure life and fortune for the people; to continue lost teachings for past sages; to establish peace for all future generations.

— Zhang Zai (Hengqu), Philosopher (1020–1077 CE) | "The Four Principles of Hengqu": 为天地立心, 为生民立命, 为往圣继绝学, 为万世开太平

(2) Vision

To forge the Scholar Community Center (SCC) as a catalyst for change—dedicated to generating solutions for agriculture, propelling rural development, and elevating farmer well-being.

(3) Core Beliefs

· Open: Democratizing Knowledge Through CC BY 4.0 Licensing

· Global: Fostering Inclusive Dialogue Across Cultures, Languages, and Geographies

· Trustworthy: Upholding Integrity Through Rigorous Standards & Transparent Practices

· Impact-Driven: Prioritizing Research That Addresses Real-World Challenges and Delivers Tangible Societal Value

(4) Value Proposition

Add Value Around A&R: Empowering Authors, Enriching Readers, Advancing Progress

(5) Philosophical Tenet

Promise Less, Deliver More

(6) Motto

A&R | Born to Shine

(7) Slogan

Pour Your Heart into A&R

We cordially invite authors to submit original, previously unpublished manuscripts for consideration in A&R. All submissions should be made via our online submission system at: https://sccpress.com/ars. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further queries by travismalone@sccpress.com.