New Journals on Iranian Studies
Ruben S. Nikoghosyan
In this post, you will find a list of new academic Iranian Studies journals that have begun publishing since 2020.
This is an update to my earlier post on the list of academic Iranian studies journal list published on ASPIRANTUM.
You can also check my list on Silk Road and Central Asian Studies journals here.
While this is not an exhaustive list of all new academic journals, I hope to complete the list over time. If you know of any relevant journals, I’d greatly appreciate if you write me your suggestions. Please write me by the following e-mail address: nikoghosyanruben@gmail.com
1. Journal of Iranian Linguistics
Website || Institution || All Issues
The Journal of Iranian Linguistics is the only academic journal dedicated to Iranian linguistics. It is a peer-reviewed scholarly platform dedicated to the study of Iranian languages across all historical periods — Old, Middle, and New Iranian. Established in 2024 by the Chair of Iranian Studies at Yerevan State University, the journal fosters global academic research on Iranian linguistics by publishing original, high-quality research in English.
The scope of JIL includes phonology, syntax, morphology, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, computational linguistics, language policy, and language acquisition, among other topics. Published biannually in March and September, the Journal of Iranian Linguistics aims to advance understanding of the linguistic diversity and phenomena within the Iranian context, engaging scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts worldwide.
Status: Open access
First published: 2024
Country: Armenia
Affiliation: Chair of Iranian Studies at Yerevan State University
Publisher: YSU Publishing
Issues per year: 2
Published Issues: 1
Scope: Iranian Linguistics; Language Contacts; Historical Linguistics
Languages: English
Editor-in-Chief: Vardan Voskanian (Yerevan State University)
Associate Editors: Artyom Tonoyan (YSU); Hakob Avchyan (YSU)
Editorial Board: Chiara Barbati (University of Pisa, Italy); Desmond Durkin-Meisterernst (Freie Universität Berlin, Germany); Jila Ghomeshi (University of Manitoba, Canada); Geoffrey Haig (University of Bamberg, Germany); Arsalan Kahnemuyipour (University of Toronto, Canada); Simin Karimi (University of Arizona, USA); Paola Orsatti (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy); Ludwig Paul (Hamburg University, Germany); Mohammad Rasekh-Mahand (Bu-Ali Sina University, Iran); Hassan Rezai Baghbidi (Osaka University, Japan); Pollet Samvelian (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, France); Jaffer Sheyholislami (Carleton University, Canada)
Submit an article: You should register and log in into the system to submit a paper.
2. Sasanian Studies: Late Antique Iranian World
Website || Institution || All Volumes
The Sasanian Studies: Late Antique Iranian World is an annual peer-reviewed journal published by Harrassowitz Verlag, dedicated to exploring the history, culture, and legacy of the Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE) within the broader context of the Late Antique world. Edited by renowned scholars Touraj Daryaee and Shervin Farridnejad, this journal serves as an authoritative platform for advancing research on one of the Near East’s most influential empires.
The Sasanian Empire, which extended from Mesopotamia to Central Asia and Northern India, was a dominant power alongside the Roman-Byzantine Empire, referred to in diplomatic exchanges as one of the “Two Eyes of the Earth.” Despite its historical significance, Sasanian studies have long been overshadowed by research on the Byzantine Empire. This journal seeks to fill that gap, focusing on topics such as Middle Persian texts, archaeology, material culture, and the Sasanian Empire’s interactions with Roman Empire/Byzantium, Armenia, Central Asian polities, India, China, Hephtalites, Turkic Khaghanate, Arabic states, and other neighbouring regions.
By fostering scholarly dialogue and presenting cutting-edge research, Sasanian Studies aims to deepen our understanding of the empire of Ērānšahr and its contributions to Late Antiquity, the foundations of Islamic Civilization, and world history. Two volumes have been published to date, establishing the journal as a vital resource for historians, archaeologists, and scholars of Iranian and Late Antique studies.
First published: 2022
Country: Germany (publisher)
Affiliation: –
Publisher: Harrassovitz Verlag
Issues per year: 1
Published Volumes: 2
Scope: Iranian Studies; Late Antique Iran; Sassanians; Zoroastrianism; history; archaeology; philology; religious studies.
Languages: English, German
Editors-in-Chief: Touraj Daryaee (tdaryaee@uci.edu) & Shervin Farridnejad (s.farridnejad@fu-berlin.de)
Editorial Board: Samra Azarnouche (Paris), Matthew P. Canepa (Irvine), Carlo G. Cereti (Rome), Iris Colditz (Bochum), Dietrich Huff (Berlin), Khodadad Rezakhani (Leiden), Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis (London)
Author instructions
Submit an article: Contact the editors
3. Sēnmurw – Journal of Iranian Studies
Website || Institution || All Issues (see Website*)
Sēnmurw – Journal of Iranian Studies is an annual double-blind peer-reviewed Iranian studies journal by the Istituto per l’Oriente Carlo Alfonso Nallino. It is devoted to the study of the Iranian world’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, with a focus on literary, anthropological, and archaeological dimensions. The journal adopts a multidisciplinary approach, addressing both pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods, and pays special attention to the transformation of Iranian traditions after the Mongol invasions in the 13th century.
Sēnmurw publishes contributions from international scholars in English. Topics include Middle Persian texts, material culture, archaeology, anthropology, history, and literature. The journal seeks to illuminate the Iranian world’s rich and complex history, highlighting its influence across time and space.
*Look for a tiny bar in the upper right corner, where you can find the links to the volumes’ abstracts.
First published: 2022
Country: Italy
Affiliation: Istituto per l’Oriente Carlo Alfonso Nallino
Publisher: –
Issues per year: 1
Published Issues: 2 (2022, 2023)
Scope: Iranian Studies; Tangible & Intangible Cultural Heritage; Pre- and Early Islamic Iran; Iranian Tradition; Archaeology of Iran; Anthropology of the Iranian World; Persian Literature; Iranian World History
Languages: English
Editor-in-Chief: Carlo G. Cereti
Associate Editors: Maria Vittoria Fontana (Sapienza); Giulio Maresca (Sapienza); Gianfilippo Terribili (Sapienza)
Editorial Secretary: Carlo Marchetti (Sapienza)
International Scientific Committee: Michele Bernardini (University of Naples “L’Orientale”); Alberto Cantera (Freie Universität Berlin); Touraj Daryaee (University of California, Irvine); Finbarr B. Flood (New York University); Almut Hintze (University of London, SOAS); Vito Messina (Turin University); Jebrael Nokandeh (National Museum of Iran, Tehran); Antonio Panaino (University of Bologna “Alma Mater Studiorum”).
Submit an article: Submissions should be sent in .docx format (.odf format is also accepted) to the e-mail address of the Istituto per l’Oriente: ipocan@ipocan.it
4. Kurdish Studies Journal
Website || Institution || All Issues (see Website)
Kurdish Studies Journal is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed publication that continues the legacy of the Kurdish Studies journal, which was discontinued in 2023. The new journal, published by Brill, focuses on high-quality research in the field of Kurdish studies, offering a platform for scholarship and debates across a broad range of topics, including economics, history, society, gender, minorities, politics, health, law, environment, language, media, culture, arts, and education. The Kurdish Studies Archive houses the content from volumes 1 to 10 of the previous Kurdish Studies journal, ensuring continuity in the publication’s commitment to interdisciplinary research.
It is important to note that Kurdish Studies Journal should not be confused with Journal of Kurdish Studies (1990-2009) a different publication published by Peeters Online.
First published: 2023
Country: Netherlands
Affiliation: –
Publisher: Brill
Issues per year: 2
Published Issues: 3
Scope: Kurdish Studies;
Languages:
Editor-in-Chief: Martin van Bruinessen (m.vanbruinessen@uu.nl)
Managing Editor: Marlene Schäfers (Utrecht University)
Associate Editors: Djene Rhys Bajalan (Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA); Hanifi Barış (The University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK); Farangis Ghaderi (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK); Janet Klein (University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA); Ergin Öpengin (University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK); Zozan Pehlivan (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA); Beja Protner (University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK).
Advisory Board: Sabri Ateş (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA); Derya Bayır (University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark); Joyce Blau (Kurdish Institute of Paris, Paris, France); Joanna Bocheńska (Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland); Hamit Bozarslan (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris, France); Michael M. Gunter (Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville TN, USA); Choman Hardi (American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, Iraq); Joost Jongerden (Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands); Michiel Leezenberg (University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands); Shahrzad Mojab (University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada); Khanna Omarkhali (Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany); Christine Robins (née Allison) (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK); Clémence Scalbert-Yücel (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK); Gareth Stansfield (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK); Abbas Vali (formerly Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey); Lale Yalçın-Heckmann (University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic); Akihiko Yamaguchi (Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan); Mesut Yeğen (formerly Şehir University, Istanbul, Turkey).
Submit an article: Registration is required
Emails: Managing Editor: Marlene Schäfers (e.m.schafers@uu.nl); Editor-in-Chief: Martin van Bruinessen (m.vanbruinessen@uu.nl); Book Review Editor: Sacha Alsancakli (sacha.alsancakli@inalco.fr)
5. Hunara: Journal of Ancient Iranian Arts and History
Website || Institution || All Issues
Hunara: Journal of Ancient Iranian Arts and History is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by Casa Editrice Persiani in Bologna, Italy. It focuses on the arts and history of ancient Iran from the early 3rd millennium BC to the end of the 7th century AD. The journal promotes interdisciplinary research, scholarly debates, and the integration of primary sources with new scientific theories. Open to a global scholarly audience, Hunara publishes high-quality original research and special issues, making new findings and discussions widely accessible. The editorial team includes Helen Giunashvili, Matteo Compareti, and Milad Jahangirfar.
Status: Open access
First published: 2023
Country: Italy
Affiliation: –
Publisher: Casa Editrice Persiani
Issues per year: 2
Published Issues: 3
Scope: Iranian Arts; Cultural History; Ancient Iran; Late Antique Iran; Material Culture of Iran & neighboring areas; Achaemenids; Sasanians.
Languages: English
Editors-in-Chief: Helen Giunashvili (G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies, Ilia State University, Tbilisi); Matteo Compareti (Capital Normal University, Beijing); Milad Jahangirfar (University of Art, Tehran)
Associate Editors: Mohammad Amin Mirghaderi (Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia)
Editorial Board: Atefeh Amiri; Davide Nadali; Francesco Del Bravo; Iraj Dadashi; Jenny Rose; Katarzyna Maksymiuk; Levan Gordeziani; Mateusz M. Kłagisz; Mina Kambin; Mohammadreza Adli; Nino Silagadze; Silvia Balatti; Vakhtang Licheli.
Submit an article: To submit a paper you need to register first.
Email: hunara@persianieditore.com
6. Persica Antiqua
Website || Institution || All Issues (see Website)
Persica Antiqua is a double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access academic Iranian Studies journal published by the Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group, based in Tehran, Iran. It is one of the four similar journals published by the TARG. Established by Dr. Shahin Aryamanesh, the journal is dedicated to high-quality, original research on the pre-Islamic history, culture, and civilization of ancient Persia in its broadest sense.
The journal covers a wide range of disciplines, including archaeology, ancient history, linguistics, religion, epigraphy, numismatics, and the history of art. It also explores cultural exchanges and relations between Persia and its neighbors. Contributions include original research articles, archaeological reports, review articles, and book reviews.
Persica Antiqua is managed by a team of esteemed editors, including Dr. Reza Mehrafarin and Dr. Houshang Rostami.
The journal prides itself on a transparent peer review process, with a review time of 6–12 weeks, and offers immediate accessibility to all published content on its website.
Status: Open Access
First published: 2021
Country: Iran
Affiliation: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Publisher: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Issues per year: 2
Published volumes: 4
Scope: Iran, Iranian Archaeology, pre-Islamic history of Iran, numismatics, linguistics, religion.
Languages: English
Director-in-Charge: Shahin Aryamanesh (sh.aryamanesh@ihcs.ac.ir)
Editor-in-Chief: Reza Mehrafarin (reza.mehrafarin@gmail.com)
Managing Editor: Houshang Rostami
Editorial Board: Sajjad Alibaigi; Jaleh Amouzgar; Enrico Ascalone; Mohammad Hossein Azizi Kharanaghi; Seyed Mehdi Mousavi; Mohammad Bahramzadeh; Nicole Brisch; Veli Bahshaliyev; Pierfrancesco Callieri; Matteo Compareti; Bruno Genito; Elene Giunashvili; Leonardo Gregoratti; Alireza Hejebri Nobari; Morteza Hessari; Barbara Kaim; Morteza Khanipour; John MacGinnis; Katarzyna Maksymiuk; Giulio Maresca; Michele Minardi; Cyrus Nasrollahzadeh; Kyle Gregory Olson; Antonio Panaino; Cameron A. Petrie; Parvaneh Pourshariati; Rocco Rante; Eberhard Wolfram Sauer; S Mansour Seyed Sadjjadi; Nicholas Sims-Williams; Babak Shaikh Baikloo Islam; Rouhollah Shirazi; Giacomo Tabita; Mahsa Veisi.
Submit an article: You should follow the link and submit your article after registration.
Contact emails: persicaantiqua@gmail.com, info@persicaantiqua.ir, journal.persicaantiqua@gmail.com
7. Ancient Iranian Studies
Website || Institution || All Issues (see Website)
Ancient Iranian Studies: The International Journal of Iranian Studies is a peer-reviewed Iranian Studies journal published by the Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group, focusing on the cultural and civilizational history of pre-Islamic Persia. It is one of the four similar journals published by the TARG.
The journal covers a broad range of topics, including archaeology, numismatics, religion, ancient history, linguistics, epigraphy, and the history of art in ancient Iran, as well as cultural exchanges between Iran and its neighbors. It is open-access and publishes quarterly in both English and Persian, with articles available immediately upon publication. The journal follows a double-blind peer-review process and does not charge authors or readers for access. Established by Dr. Shahin Aryamanesh, it aims to foster high-quality, original research in the field.
Status: Open access
First published: 2022
Country: Iran
Affiliation: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Publisher: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Issues per year: 4
Published Volumes: 3
Scope: Pre-Islamic Persia; Persian Studies; Archaeology; Numismatics; Ancient History; Religion; Linguistics; Epigraphy; History of Art; Cultural Heritage; Ancient Iran; Cultural Exchanges; Iran and Neighbors; Sasanian Empire; Achaemenid Empire; Near East; Archaeological Reports; Iranian Civilization.
Languages: English, Persian
Editor-in-Chief: Shahin Aryamanesh (sh.aryamanesh@ihcs.ac.ir)
Associate Editor-in-Chief: Houshang Rostami
Editorial Board: Samra Azarnouche; Jaleh Amouzgar; Hassan Karimian; Maryam Dara; Habib Borjian; Elaheh Panjebashi; Giacomo Tabita; Saman Heydari-Guran; Vakhtang Licheli; Alireza Hejebri Nobari; Reza Rezaloo; Bahman Firouzmandi; Elham Ghasidian; Henry Colburn; Omid Tabibzadeh; Arkadiusz Soltysiak; Cyrus Nasrollahzadeh; Nima Nezafati; Behzad Mofidi-Nasrabadi; Mohammad Taghi Atayi.
Submit an article: Registration is required for submissions.
Email: ancientiranianstudies@gmail.com, info@ancientiranianstudies.ir
8. Sinus Persicus
Website || Institution || All Issues (see Website)
Sinus Persicus: The International Journal of Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman Studies is a peer-reviewed academic Iranian studies journal published by the Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group, dedicated to the archaeology, history, linguistics, religion, epigraphy, numismatics, and history of art of the Persian Gulf region. Covering both prehistoric and historical periods, the journal explores the northern and southern coasts of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf islands, and the Gulf of Oman. It is published semiannually in English, Persian, and Arabic, following a double-blind peer-review process and an open-access policy. The journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Alireza Hejebri Nobari and Dr. Shahin Aryamanesh.
Status: Open access
First published: 2024
Country: Iran
Affiliation: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Publisher: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Issues per year: 2
Published Issues: 4
Scope: Persian Gulf Studies; Area Studies; Iranian Studies, Strait of Hormuz; Gulf of Oman; Historical Geography; History of Iran and Gulf countries.
Languages: English
Editor-in-Chief: Alireza Hejebri Nobari (hejebri@modares.ac.ir); Shahin Aryamanesh (sh.aryamanesh@ihcs.ac.ir)
Editorial Board: Abdolrasool Kheirandish; Ralph Kauz; Mostafa Dehpahlavan; Mohammad Bagher Vosooghi; Leonardo Gregoratti; Brian Ulrich; João Teles e Cunha; Noruz Rajabi; Alessia Zubani; Cyrus Nasrollahzadeh; Hossein Tofighian; Mohammad Hossein Azizi Kharanaghi; Shakil Ahmad; Ali Asghar Salahshoor; Alireza Sardari; Shahram Jalilian.
Submit an article: In order to submit a draft you need to register in the system following the link.
9. Caspian
Website || Institution || All Volumes (see Website)
Caspian: The International Journal of Caspian Sea, Caucasus, and Transoxiana Studies is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group. It is one of four similar journals published by the group, alongside others that focus on related regional studies. Caspian is dedicated to the archaeology, anthropology, history, art, linguistics, religion, epigraphy, and numismatics of the Caspian Sea region, Caucasus, and Transoxiana, encompassing both prehistoric and historical periods. Articles are accepted in English and Persian, with Persian submissions required to include English titles, abstracts, keywords, and a bibliography in Roman alphabet.
It is published semiannually and offers both paperback and electronic formats. Caspian aims to provide high-quality research and scholarship to a global audience interested in the diverse and rich history and culture of the Caspian region.
First published: 2024
Country: Iran
Affiliation: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Publisher: Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group
Issues per year: 2
Published issues: 4
Scope: Archaeology; Anthropology; History; Art; Linguistics; Religion; Epigraphy; Numismatics; Caspian Sea Region; Caucasus; Transoxiana; Prehistoric Period; Historical Period; Ancient Civilizations; Cultural Heritage; Ethnography; Material Culture; Regional Studies; Archaeological Reports; Cross-Cultural Studies; Environmental History.
Languages: English, Persian
Editor-in-Chiefs: Bahman Firouz Mandi Shireh Jin* (بهمن فیروزمندی شیره جین); Shahin Aryamanesh
Editorial Board: Hamideh Choobak; Almut Hintze; Murtazali Gadjiev; Vali Jahani; Akbar Abedi; Garry Trompf; Ali Sadraei; Minoo Salimi; Balram Shukla; Kourosh Roustaei; Yadollah Mansouri; Morteza Rezvanfar; Habib Borjian; Behzad Asghari; Jebrael Nokandeh; Katarzyna Maksymiuk; Azita Afrashi; Mehdi Razani; Meysam Labbaf-Khaniki; Askold Ivantchik; Solmaz Raof; Elene Giunashvili; Nima Asefi; Hamid Khanali.
Submit an article: Registration is required
Emails: caspianjournal@hotmail.com, info@caspianjournal.ir
* transcribed incorrectly
10. Ricerche Linguistiche
Website || Institution || All Issues
Ricerche Linguistiche is a peer-reviewed annual journal published by Sapienza Università di Roma. Originally founded in 1950 by Antonino Pagliaro as the official publication of the former Istituto di Glottologia, the journal released six volumes between 1962 and 1974 under the editorship of Walter Belardi. After a 50-year hiatus, Ricerche Linguistiche was revived in 2024, continuing and expanding upon the scholarly tradition established by its founders.
The journal focuses on diachronic and historical linguistics, with a primary emphasis on ancient Indo-European and Semitic languages, as well as Romance linguistics. While it welcomes contributions on a broad range of language families, a significant portion of its content is dedicated to Iranian linguistics, making it particularly relevant for scholars in Iranian studies. Recent issues feature articles on Old Iranian syntax, Old Persian inscriptions, and Middle Persian lexicography.
Edited by Marco Mancini and Paolo Di Giovine, Ricerche Linguistiche is structured into three sections: research articles, Léxeis (focused studies on word history and etymology), and review articles. By combining a historical and philological approach, the journal remains a key platform for linguistic research across diverse language traditions.
First published: 2024
Country: Italy
Affiliation: University of Rome La Sapienza
Publisher: Edizioni ETS
Issues per year: 1
Published Volumes: 1
Scope: Indo-European Linguistics, Comparative Linguistics, Ancient Iranian Languages, Iranian Linguistics
Languages: English
Editors-in-chief: Marco Mancini (Sapienza Università di Roma); Paolo Di Giovine (Sapienza Università di Roma)
Editorial board: Paola Dardano (Università per Stranieri di Siena), Alessandro De Angelis (Università di Messina), Luca Lorenzetti (Università della Tuscia)
Advisory Board: Ignasi-Xavier Adiego Lajara (Universitat de Barcelona); Maria Carmela Benvenuto (Sapienza Università di Roma); Gerald Bernhard (Ruhr-Universität Bochum); Luz Conti Jiménez (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid); Georgios Giannakis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki); Giuseppe Longobardi (University of York); Craig H. Melchert (University of California, Los Angeles); Birgit Anette Olsen (Københavns Universitet); Flavia Pompeo (Sapienza Università di Roma); Marianna Pozza (Sapienza Università di Roma); Carlotta Viti (Université de Lorraine); Nicholas Zair (University of Cambridge).
Editorial Assistants: Alessandro Del Tomba (Managing Editor, Sapienza Università di Roma); Annamaria Chilà (Sapienza Università di Roma).
Submit an article: Registration is required for submissions
Email: journals@edizioniets.com
11. Berkeley Working Papers in Middle Iranian Philology
Website || Institution || All Papers (see Website)
Berkeley Working Papers in Middle Iranian Philology is an online publication series dedicated to the philology and epigraphy of Middle Iranian languages, including Bactrian, Chorasmian, Khotanese, Middle Persian, Parthian, and Sogdian. Edited by Adam Benkato and Arash Zeini, the series features short and long articles, research reports, and works-in-progress, published on an ongoing basis.
All submissions undergo editorial and peer review and are published under the auspices of the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at UC Berkeley. Authors retain copyright and may republish their work elsewhere. As a valuable resource for scholars, the series contributes to advancing research in Middle Iranian studies.
Status: Open access
First published: 2023
Country: USA
Affiliation: Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, University of California, Berkeley
Publisher: Online
Issues per year: –
Published papers: 5
Scope: Old & Middle Iranian Philology; Middle Persian (Pahlavi); Parthian; Sogdian; Ancient Iranian; Zoroastrianism; Bactrian; Chorasmian; Khotanese
Languages: English
Editors: Adam Benkato (UC Berkeley), Arash Zeini (Oxford)
Editorial Board:
Author instructions: The Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures Department only publishes materials about work conducted under the auspices of the department.
Submit an article: You should email your submissions to bwporter@berkeley.edu