Call for Papers: Issue Eight

The editorial team is seeking submissions for Aspectus Issue Eight to be published in October 2026. Aspectus is an annual, peer-reviewed journal of visual studies developed by the History of Art Department at the University of York. 

We welcome submissions of new research by past and present PhD researchers working on visual culture at the University of York in the department of History of Art. We are also seeking proposals for book and exhibition reviews of upcoming significant publications and exhibitions in the fields of art history and art theory. Current MA students (and alumni) from the University of York engaged in visual culture are also welcome to submit proposals for the reviews section.

The editorial team welcomes scholarly articles that relate to any period of art history, conservation, and museum studies. We encourage prospective authors from a variety of methodological and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of art and visual culture. 

Aspectus accepts submissions electronically. All proposals should be sent as Word documents via email to histart-aspectus@york.ac.uk with the subject: Article/Review 2026, Surname, First Name, “Proposed Title” (e.g. Article 2026, Smith, John, "An Example"). In the body of your email please also include your name and your affiliation with the University of York History of Art Department (e.g. current PhD student).

Guidance on what we expect to see in a proposal can be found below. If you have any questions about submitting your proposal, please get in touch with us by email or social media.

Contributors are asked to supply a brief abstract (300 words max) by 5th December 2026. If an article is already completed, contributors are welcome to submit it alongside their abstract. Accepted articles must be completed by 1st March 2026 to allow time for peer-reviewing and editing before publication. 

Articles should be between 5,000 – 6,000 words in length (excluding endnotes). Updated versions/sections of particularly successful MA dissertations have often proved the ideal basis for an article. Illustrations should be supplied as necessary to support the text. All submitted articles must adhere to the Technical Guidelines and Style Guide.

Book and exhibition review proposals will refer to books published in 2026 and exhibitions ideally either still open at the time or one month prior to the journal's publication (October 2026). Accepted reviews should be between 800-1,000 words in length and must be finished by 1st August 2026. 

Book review proposals should include: author’s/editor’s name, complete title of book (with a colon between the main title and the subtitle), place of publication, publisher, date of publication, total number of pages (including all front matter and illustrations that do not carry page numbers), number of illustrations (black and white and colour), price, as well as a short description (300 words max) on the text’s significant contribution to its field and/or why a review of the book is necessary. 

Exhibition review proposals should include: title of the exhibition, location, exhibition dates, curators’ names, and a short description (300 words max) on the exhibition’s significant contribution to its field and/or why a review of it is necessary.