About JOYS

The Journal of Youth Scholarship (JOYS) is a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal for youth published by Clark University’s Hiatt Center for Urban Education. The journal accepts research, memoir, essay and creative writing submissions from secondary youth. Authors and editors work together to revise manuscripts until they are ready for publication. We inspire young people to express how they feel and explore how youth contribute to today's society.

Our Belief

We believe that youth-produced knowledge is important, powerful, and relevant. JOYS provides an institutional platform for youth voices across genres. Our goal is to create space that empowers youth voices to be used as classroom resources, outlets for creativity and exploration, and sources of inspiration and camaraderie for youth everywhere.

What is Scholarship?

In the context of JOYS, scholarship means ideas, knowledges, achievement, and creativity. So much of the scholarship we see in classrooms, literature, and research is created by adults. We believe that there is much to be learned from the way that youth see and make sense of the world. In fact, our communities depend on it to grow towards justice. The knowledges that are uplifted by the Journal of Youth Scholarship have much to teach us about how much richer our experiences can be if we include the voices of youth.

"National Student Bill of Rights for all Youth (NSBR) is an effort to bring together youth from across the country to define a youth vision for education and social justice. Youth from different cities are developing local bills and working together to write a national bill that will become a unifying document for youth nationwide and a driving force for youth movement building."

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Scope

The Journal of Youth Scholarship engages with the community of Worcester MA, partnering with schools in the district and reaching out to youth to provide the opportunity to tell their stories to a larger audience. Since this journal is youth-led we strive to create peer partnerships with authors, creators, and reviewers building a network of thriving together by working together. As we continue to grow we hope to not only serve the city of Worcester but to branch out to youth in other regions to bring in a diverse array of authors.

JOYS is supported by the Jacob Hiatt Center for Urban Education at Clark University.

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