For more than a decade, the quarterly of Social Studies and Research in Iran has been published as a peer-reviewed scholarly journal by one of the country’s oldest research institutions—the Institute for Social Studies and Research at the University of Tehran. The journal’s core mission has been to publish scientific works by scholars and social researchers who examine the issues and phenomena of Iranian society.
Thanks to the trust and intellectual generosity of those scholars who have submitted the results of their theoretical reflections and valuable research; and through the rigorous insights of our reviewers and editorial board members, the journal has succeeded in establishing itself as one of the most reputable and recognized academic journals in the country. We sincerely appreciate the dedication of all colleagues and contributors and extend our best wishes for their continued success.
Undoubtedly, the growth and expansion of knowledge depend on dialogue, collaboration, participation, and the creation of wider platforms for intellectual exchange. In this regard, publishing research findings in other languages—particularly those that reach broader audiences in global academic communities—can be an important step toward contributing to global knowledge production. Therefore, in pursuit of internationalization and deeper engagement with scholars and research centers worldwide, we decided to publish this special issue of the journal in English.
We hope this initiative will lay the groundwork for deeper dialogue, cross-border critique, and collaboration in the global production of social knowledge, while preserving intellectual authenticity and attention to local issues. The journal seeks to play a role in this process by publishing studies rooted in indigenous realities yet engaged in conversation with global scholarly discourses.
The articles in this issue address several themes and concerns central to Iranian society as explored by contemporary researchers. The issue begins with a study on demographic foresight utilizing advanced artificial intelligence technologies, then moves on to an exploration of the inner world of Iranian youth and their confrontation with tangible economic challenges (instability, feelings of despair) as well as the subjective experience of time in modernity. Concurrently, a broader macroeconomic analysis examines the structure of the national economy and the relationship between oil revenues and inequality.
Societal attitudes toward the “Other” are analyzed in an article on international migrants, while emerging phenomena such as lifestyle transformations, victimization, fear of crime, and the unveiling of the “greenwashing” phenomenon within Iran’s social context are critically investigated. Finally, the impact of a new technological innovation VAR (Video Assistant Referee) on a major social field such as football establishes an intriguing link between technical transformations and sociological analysis. This thematic diversity illustrates the dynamism and wide scope of social studies in addressing real-world issues.
What unites the articles in this issue is a notable focus on youth-related topics and the influence of technology on social relations—an emphasis that is far from coincidental, reflecting a key reality of contemporary Iranian society. Without doubt, publishing this issue in English represents more than a mere change of language; it constitutes an opportunity for transnational exchange of experiences and scholarly collaboration, potentially generating new intellectual outcomes.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the journal’s Executive Director, Dr. Parvin Alipoor, and the editorial team for their diligent efforts. The journal’s vision is to consolidate its standing as a critical, pioneering, and responsible platform for the production and dissemination of social knowledge committed to intellectual integrity, ethical principles, and professional responsibility.
)