Austrian Journal of Religious Education

The Österreichisches Religionspädagogisches Forum (Austrian Journal of Religious Education, OERF) is a scientific journal that was founded in 1991 and has been published twice a year as an online journal since 2013. The journal is primarily aimed at academics and students working in the field of Religious Education or related subjects at universities and colleges. However, interested practitioners, i.e. above all RE teachers, are also part of the target group. The special feature of this journal is that it is not only conceived from the perspective of one particular religion or denomination, but brings the perspectives of different religions into conversation with each other. The fact that the journal is available to everyone free of charge online and without access barriers (= Open Access) leads to a high visibility of the articles published there. Young researchers and students in particular appreciate the uncomplicated access to scientific literature and current research results. However, since the journal is freely accessible to everyone, it requires appropriate quality criteria. On the one hand, these are ensured by the peer review process that is carried out for each article. On the other hand, the so-called Plan S ensures that OA-publications meet common formal, legal and qualitative criteria. The funding granted by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) for the Austrian Journal of Religious Education makes it possible to adapt this specialist journal to the Plan S guidelines that apply throughout Europe. This will enable a significant further development of the journal with regard to the reception of the individual contributions, but also with regard to the transparency of the publication process. Ultimately, the aim is to become even more attractive as a publication platform for scientifically proven authors and to make current research results available to a broad international specialist audience quickly and easily.