Microsoft Word - Introduction vol 1 issue 3 july 22.docx 
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 Introduction The purpose of this special, double- issue of the International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies (IJCYFS) is to provide a platform for new scholars to communicate their interests, concerns and critical perspectives; contribute to the generation of new knowledge; and report on their practices with children, youth, and families across a wide range of contexts and settings. We are very pleased to welcome these new voices to the ongoing scholarly conversation and believe that the contributions assembled here showcase the rich diversity of the field. It is our hope to make this “new scholars” issue a regular feature in IJCYFS, with at least one issue per year dedicated to publishing contributions from undergraduate and graduate students, recently hired faculty members, and others who are new to the field. All of the authors in this volume address topics of critical importance and relevance for those who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, youth and families. Many of the issues being examined in this issue will be familiar to those in the field of child, youth and family studies. At the same time, the creative ways that these authors critically engage with these topics and the manner in which they challenge the status quo to invite fresh perspectives and new questions are what make this volume truly exciting. Other articles focus on topics that have remained relatively underexplored in our field and on that basis, represent important and novel contributions. Collectively, we believe that the voices of these new scholars provide grounds for hope and inspiration as we confront the ever-changing, complex demands of working with children, youth and families in local, regional, national and global contexts.