About the Journal

Focus and Scope

Craft studies is an emerging field of research that is gaining recognition worldwide. Studia Vernacula is a publication that aims to lead the way in craft studies in Estonia. Craft studies combine practical skills with theoretical knowledge of heritage craft technologies. Such practice-based approaches help researchers achieve a better understanding of the technical aspects of their objects of study.

Studia Vernacula publishes scholarly articles, research reports, book reviews, and translations of relevant theoretical texts that contribute to understanding native craft practises, technologies, discourses, and networks. Studia Vernacula is committed to promoting heritage crafts as a technical and intellectual enterprise. We welcome contributions that address heritage craft practises and discourses from scholars of crafts studies, anthropologists, ethnologists, folklorists, museum curators, craft practitioners, students and teachers of crafts and related fields.

Studia Vernacula facilitates the development of national as well as international networks of native craft and heritage research. The journal provides an academic platform to showcase the work of graduate students of the Estonian Native Crafts Department and to introduce the best of international craft research to our readers. The primary target audiences of the journal are native crafts researchers and practitioners.

Studia Vernacula is an initiative of the Estonian Native Crafts Department of University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. It is a bi-lingual publication (Estonian and English). Occasionally special editions in other languages are published that feature specific craft practises and research. It has been issued as an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, annual journal with an international editorial board since 2013.

Studia Vernacula contributes to the mission of the University of Tartu in preserving and developing Estonian cultural heritage: “The University advances the sciences investigating Estonia and its people for the purpose of preservation and development of the Estonian language and culture, and education in Estonian, preserves national cultural heritage and provides the related services to the public.” (S. 2(4) University of Tartu Act.)

Peer Review Process

Studia Vernacula employs a double-blind peer review process. To facilitate this, authors are requested to ensure that the article is submitted in two versions: a full version and an anonymized version. In the latter, the names and institutional affiliations of authors should appear only in a detachable cover letter. Throughout the paper itself, the name(s) of the author(s) should be replaced by ‘author’ (e.g. in references to the author’s own work).

Publication Frequency

SV is issued once a year.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Sections

Studia Vernacula welcomes the submission of three types of manuscripts: research articles; practitioner's know-how; as well as notes and reviews of recent events, publications, exhibitions or student works. The journal publishes both original research in Estonian and translations from other languages. Journal may be able to provide translation into Estonian on basis of individual agreements.

Authors from outside of Estonia are expected to contact editorial team to mutually agree on conditions. Both previously published and unpublished articles relevant to the field of crafts studies may be considered for publication.

Sponsors

The publication of the journal was supported by the University of Tartu and the Folk Culture Endowment of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

Journal History

The series is published at the department of native crafts and its aim is to advance research in the fields of handicraft and native crafts. Studia Vernacula was established as a series of monographs, publishing three volumes until 2012. From 2013 onwards, Studia Vernacula continues as an interdisciplinary annual peer-reviewed journal.