The Southeastern Geographer: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Abstract

This paper summarizes trends in the research and authorship of articles published in the Southeastern Geographer from 1961-2003. The number of articles and pages published have doubled since the early 1990s. The publication of articles on physical geography topics, however, has not kept pace with the increase in human geography topics. Although the journal has consistently provided an outlet for student authors, the proportion of women authors has remained low until a substantial increase in the last five years. Our editorial agenda will focus on increasing the presence of physical and environmental geography in the journal, attracting a broader subscriber base and readership through marketing, and encouraging submissions from outside the South and on nonSouth topics, while maintaining the journals' intellectual rigor and traditional focus on southern studies.

Since its inception, the Southeastern Geographer has had what appears to be a simple mission: "The journal publishes research papers on all geographic topics, but the editors especially invite submissions that focus on the South." In practice, the journal has several missions that require balancing. The first and most basic one is to serve the discipline of geography by creating an inclusive academic environment in which a diversity of voices are heard and co-exist, reflecting a broad spectrum of sub-fields, theories, and methodologies. Although the Southeastern Geographer's first mission is one of integration, its second mission is more narrowly defined. It provides an outlet for scholarship and perspectives on the American South, seeking to understand one of the most interesting, yet enigmatic regions in the United States. Third, and no less important, the journal has a mission to serve the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers (SEDAAG). Of particular importance is to ensure that the Southeastern Geographer maximizes the visibility and reputation of the regional division and its members.

From time to time it is useful to assess the nature of the research that we publish in geography to evaluate the current status of the discipline and chart a vision for the future (Brunn 1995). With the recent editorial transition at the Southeastern Geographer, and in keeping with our promise to evaluate the status of the journal, we felt that now would be an appropriate time to summarize historical trends in research that has appeared in print and to evaluate the degree to which the journal has fulfilled the three major missions outlined above. "Looking back" to the past and "looking forward" to the future, however, should not be done in isolation of one another. Only by understanding the historical foundations of the Southeastern Geographer can we accurately identify areas for potential growth and articulate an informed and persuasive editorial vision for the future.

Figure 1.

Trends in the number of pages and articles published in the Southeastern Geographer, 1961-2003. Trend lines are 3-year moving averages.

Looking Back

Previous editors of the Southeastern Geographer have recognized the importance of reflecting upon the journal's status and past accomplishments (Wheeler 1998, 2000; Guy 1999). On the 50^th anniversary of the founding of SEDAAG, Wheeler (1998) provided a detailed history of the Division's publications and Guy (1999) used data on subscribers to argue that the Southeastern Geographer shares some of the same qualities of a national journal. Wheeler (2000) also showed that since 1980 the proportion of authors with affiliations outside SEDAAG dropped slightly while the percentage of articles focusing on the South increased considerably. While recognizing the value of these previous studies, our objective is to provide a more comprehensive update on the research and authors that have published in the journal.

The first edition of Southeastern Geographer was published in 1961. "This inaugural volume consisted of a single issue, as did subsequent volumes through 1968" (Wheeler 1998, 155). Following the decision to begin publishing two issues each year in 1969, the total number of pages per year peaked in 1969 at 196 pages and the average number of articles per year peaked at 15 in the early 1970s (Fig. I).¹ From 1974 to 1995, the number of articles dropped off to an average of 9.5. The last eight years have shown a steady increase to 15-20 articles published per year. The total number of pages per volume has also shown a steady increase during Wheeler's 12-year term as editor, from about 145 pages (1969-1991) to 316 pages (2001-2003).

Figure 2.

Trends in SEDAAG authorship and articles that focus on the South published in the Southeastern Geographer, 1961-2003. Trend lines are 3-year moving averages.

The Southeastern Geographer has long been an important forum for ideas about the geography of the American South. Indeed, Wheeler (2000) reported that the percentage of articles focusing on the South increased from just over 75% in the 1960s to over 95% in the 1990s. As the percentage of articles focusing on the South increased, so did the percentage of authors with affiliations within the ten states of SEDAAG (Wheeler 2000). Both of these trends have continued through 2003 (Fig. 2). The dominance of articles written by SEDAAG authors about the South suggests that there is considerable potential to expand the scope, readership, and number of submissions to the journal by being proactive in targeting non-SEDAAG authors and soliciting non-South topics.

From 1967-2003, about 15% of all authors were identified explicitly as students, many as lead authors. This probably underestimates the true figure because another 14% of all authors had non-university affiliations. Former students who had gained employment outside of academia probably authored a large portion of these articles. During the first four decades of its existence, less than 10% of the authors publishing in the Southeastern Geographer were women (Fig. 3).² In the last five years, however, increasing numbers of women have published articles in the journal, with authorship splitting almost evenly along gender lines in 2003. This may reflect growing numbers of women in academic positions and larger female graduate enrollments in the South. The proportion of women serving on the journal's editorial board/ committee has also increased through time. In 2003, a third of board members were women.

The distribution of author affiliations reflects the strong ties that some geography departments have had with the Division and the Southeastern Geographer. The four geography departments with the most author affiliations (University of Georgia, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and University of South Carolina) have also had faculty serving as editors of the journal, three for at least two terms. This probably reflects the strength of the program (Wheeler 2000), the increased visibility and awareness of the journal in the editor's department, and the ability of the editor to solicit manuscripts from colleagues and students. These top four universities accounted for one-third of all the authors publishing in the journal, a percentage that has persisted throughout the period. Almost 19% of all authors were affiliated with the University of Georgia, which is more than three times the number of authors as any other institution. At the same time, it is worth mentioning that the Southeastern Geographer has attracted authors from over 160 different colleges, universities, and organizations in its forty-three year history. Of the institutions outside the SEDAAG region, nearby Louisiana State University and the University of Minnesota contributed the most authors. The success of the journal is linked not only to the participation of non-SEDAAG academic departments, but also to the involvement of a broad base of institutions within the region.

Figure 3.

Trends in articles with physical and human geography topics published in the Southeastern Geographer, 1961-2003. Trend lines are 4-year moving averages.

Approximately 20% of the articles appearing in the Southeastern Geographer during the last 43 years have addressed topics in physical geography (Fig. 4). Of the papers with physical geography topics, 40% were climatology, 37% were geomorphology, and 23% were biogeography. During the first 24 years (1961-1984), physical geography articles were even less prevalent (10%). In 1985, however, increasing numbers of articles focusing on physical geography topics began to appear in the journal. During a 10-year period (1985-1994), 40% of the articles published in the journal had physical topics. This trend began to reverse in the early 1990s and has steadily declined to less than 15% in 2003. The decrease in the proportion of physical geography articles, however, does not reflect a decline in the total number of physical papers published, but rather a rapid increase in the number of human papers appearing in the journal. Physical geographers have not increased submissions to the extent that human geographers have.

Figure 4.

Trends in student and women authorship in the Southeastern Geographer, 1961 -2003. Trend lines are 5-year moving averages.

Looking Forward

As stated earlier, the editors of Southeastern Geographer are responsible for ensuring that the journal promotes the intellectual and social diversity of the discipline, the continuing importance of studying the American South, and the organizational visibility and reputation of SEDAAG. Our editorial vision for the next four years is focused on addressing these three initatives, building upon the journal's tradition of excellence, while also being open to transition and innovation. We reaffirm the Southeastern Geographer's commitment to publish "papers on all geographic topics." Given the historical dominance of human geography research in the journal (Fig. 4), we are particularly interested in receiving more submissions from physical and environmental geographers. Although the tendency for physical geographers to favor specialty publications is not unique to the Southeastern Geographer (reference?), we believe that increasing the presence of physical geography will benefit the overall balance and quality of the journal. The creation of a humanphysical geography editorial team is a first for the Southeastern Geographer and will aid in the recruitment of natural science submissions. Our hope is that these contributions will not only advance knowledge of the American South, but also the physical geography of other regions, perhaps leading to a cross-fertilization of approaches and perspectives.

We are committed to maintaining the importance of southern studies within the Southeastern Geographer. However, focusing on the South does not necessarily mean studying the region in isolation of larger national and transnational issues and patterns. Noted historian James Cobb (2003) recently observed the growing European fascination with all things southern. Doyle (2002) encountered images of the Confederate battle flag when he traveled to Italy, a country that displays many of the same nationalistic tensions found in America. Southern culture, rather than being a fixed entity, is a collection of fluid exchanges that circulate or "circle" across different countries and continents (Taylor 2001). We invite submissions that explore the dynamic nature of the American South, especially research that questions conventional assumptions about the region.

Finally, maintaining the reputation of the Southeastern Geographer, and hence SEDAAG, is not just a matter of upholding intellectual vision and rigor. It is also a product of promotion. Although the journal has long held the distinction of being one of the best regional periodicals in the country, with proper marketing it can play an even greater leadership role in academic geography. Beginning with this issue, the Southeastern Geographer will be published by the University of North Carolina Press, which is the oldest university press in the South and one of the oldest in the country. This new affiliation with a renowned university press has the potential to attract a broader range of contributors and readers, both inside and outside the SEDAAG region. With this relationship with UNC Press also comes a professionalization of the subscription process and a greater electronic presence for the journal. Graphic artists at the Press have assisted us in redesigning the Southeastern Geographer to mirror the format and attractiveness of other professional journals and periodicals.

Needless to say, assuming the duties of an editor is an enjoyable, yet humbling task. It is particularly humbling to succeed James O. Wheeler (University of Georgia), who guided the journal for twelve, distinguished years. It is no exaggeration to say that Jim did the work of two, if not three people. Recognizing this fact, readers will quickly notice that the journal's editorial team has expanded. The editorial board/ committee consists of thirty members from a diverse range of backgrounds. Assisting us with editing are Max Baber, who served as the first Cartographic Editor for the Southeastern Geographer from 1997 to 1999, and Christopher Meindl, who takes on the newly created position of Book Review and Marketing Editor.

Although many changes are evident in the current issue, much will remain the same. The Southeastern Geographer will continue to solicit high quality manuscripts from SEDAAG members. We are excited about the future prospects for the journal and we look forward to working with authors to insure that the journal realizes its full potential.