Journal for Religion, Film and Media (JRFM) Enhancing and Consolidating a Diamond Open Access Journal

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Daria Pezzoli-Olgiati
• Subject Area: Protestant Theology ; Roman Catholic Theology ; Religious Studies and Jewish Studies ; Theatre and Media Studies
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549807125

The Journal for Religion, Film and Media (JRFM) is a Diamond Open Access journal published since 2015. Situated at the intersection of the study of religion, theology, film and media studies, cultural studies, and other related disciplines, it offers a platform for publications in religion and media (with a specific focus on audio-visual media). The contents of JRFM are produced carefully, our peer-review process is robust, and reception among the scholarly community is steadily increasing. However, ten years after its inception, and in a continually changing publication landscape, we have identified following objective to ensure and secure the long-term viability of the journal. 1. Assessment and improvement of the issues archive on www.jrfm.eu This includes a careful examination of the webpage data and files of all published issues published since the journal’s foundation in order to assess the formal quality and correctness of the pdfs and associated metadata and hyperlinks. 2. Media index Once the archive has been verified and updated, an index of specific media (such as films, series, songs, computer games, or works of visual arts) that are discussed in articles will be created. 3. Accessibility to webpage content Drawing on the possibilities offered by OJS3 and other web technologies, we will analyse the feasibility of making JRFM contents accessible through tools such as a text-to-audio engine, a semi-automatic keyword and metatag suggestion, to increase visibility and access for all readers. 4. Further development of the journal’s website It is important that the webpage is easy to navigate, contains correct information, and is accessible to all readers. Therefore, we will examine the quality of the information currently available on the JRFM website, and amend and improve it. All individual enhancements of our web presence will be integrated into an intuitive, attractive frontend. 5. Improving the journal’s dissemination The presence of JRFM on social media has to be improved. Thus, we will investigate the possibilities for regular, semi-automated content creation and delivery and create connections with other relevant publications and scholars on social networks. 6. Improving the publication process and our services for authors Beside making the journal content accessible for readers, we also aim at improving the services for authors by promoting the efficient use of the submission platform and the semi-automation of formatting and layout. 7. Enhancing the cooperation among editorial board members Our final objective aims at improving the cooperation among editors not only as far as their collaboration in publishing JRFM is concerned, but also in the development of new research questions. JRFM aims at becoming a vibrant think tank and research hub in the ongoing development of the field of religion, film and media.

• DFG Programme: Science Communication, Research Data, eResearch (Scientific Library Services and Information Systems)
• International Connection: Austria
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Christian Wessely