Academic Standing, Global Impact, and Diversity Metrics
The Journal of Futures Studies (JFS) is a transdisciplinary, peer-reviewed publication that has transitioned from an emerging niche journal to an established, mid-tier scholarly venue. It currently holds a robust position in major global indexes, characterized by steady growth and a distinct commitment to inclusive academic discourse.
1. Core Impact Metrics (2024/2025 Data)
The following metrics represent JFS’s current performance according to Clarivate (Web of Science) and Scopus.
| Metric | Value | Significance |
| Journal Impact Factor (JIF) | 1.3 | Measures recent citations (2-year window). A 1.3 JIF is a solid performance for specialized social science journals. |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | 1.4 | Indicates long-term relevance. JFS articles maintain their citation value beyond the initial two-year peak. |
| Scopus CiteScore | 1.7 | A broader 4-year citation average. JFS is in the 79th percentile for History and Philosophy of Science. |
| SJR (SCImago Rank) | 0.297 | A “prestige” metric. Citations for JFS come from reputable, high-ranking academic sources. |
| H-Index | 27 | Reflects a consistent history of impactful papers (27 papers with at least 27 citations each). |
2. Comparative Ranking and “Quartiles”
To standardize rankings across different fields, journals are divided into four quartiles (Q1 to Q4). JFS’s most notable ranking is its Q2 status in History and Philosophy of Science.
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Top 50% (Q2): In its primary methodological field, JFS is ranked in the second tier globally. This makes it a “High-Quality” destination for authors seeking rigorous peer review and professional recognition.
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Specialized Focus: While broader journals (e.g., Technological Forecasting and Social Change) may have higher raw JIFs, JFS is the premier venue for applied foresight methodology and Causal Layered Analysis (CLA).
3. SCImago “Gender Balance” Measure
JFS is one of the journals tracked by SCImago for gender and diversity metrics. This indicator uses algorithmic name-matching to estimate the balance of male and female contributors and editors.
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What it represents: This is a proxy for epistemic diversity. In a field traditionally dominated by Western, patriarchal paradigms, JFS has intentionally cultivated a platform for “Feminist Futures” and diverse voices.
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The Data: JFS consistently trends toward a more balanced representation compared to traditional engineering-focused foresight journals. For authors, this signals an editorial environment that values pluralism and diverse ways of knowing rather than adhering to a singular demographic or intellectual silo.
4. Author Value Proposition
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Verified Quality: Indexed in the Web of Science (ESCI) and Scopus, ensuring your work is discoverable by global research institutions.
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Specialized Audience: Research published in JFS reaches the core community of professional futurists, practitioners, and scholars directly, ensuring high “field-specific” impact.