Musings and memories: 30 years of Psychology In Society

Abstract

Warmest congratulations on the 30th birthday of Psychology in society. It is indeed a considerable achievement. For any independent journal still to be alive, and to have produced 45 issues over the past 30 years is meritorious and even more so through this period of the hegemony of neo-liberalism in which publishing is characterised by mergers, takeovers, increasing profit-margins and bullying tactics of the big houses. The early days of PINS showed a lovely self-awareness of its fragility, when the second issue dated January 1985 nervously said: “The history of ‘little journals’ is littered with many an introductory volume” that is fat with promises but disappears soon after. Bravely it went on: “But with Issue 2, event becomes process, the one-off becomes a series”. Clearly this was PINS punching above its weight pretty well from the start. Now the series has grown to 46 with this 2014 issue; nearing middle age or perhaps already past it.