Transformations is an open-access, independent, peer-reviewed online journal for conversations that change how we think, feel, and interact with others. We welcome art and writing that offer critical perspectives on media, culture, and technology informed by philosophy, aesthetics, and emergent transdisciplinarities.
Each year, Transformations aims to publish at least one regular issue from an open call for scholarly articles and creative expositions. Submissions to these sections are refereed in a double-blind peer review. Regular issues may also include editorials, reports on new work in the field, or invited commentaries.
Transformations may also publish special issues focusing on a particular artist, scholar, or topic emerging from contemporary theory and practice.
Transformations is independently published by the editors, and is hosted by University of Colorado Libraries.
Transformations is indexed by Crossref and the Directory for Open Access Journals, , and a member of the Radical Open Access Collective.
Open Access Principles
Authors retain copyright and grant Transformations right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Provided they are the owners of the copyright to their work, authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal’s published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository, in a journal or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories, disciplinary repositories, or on their website) prior to and during the submission process.
History
Transformations began in the 1990s at Central Queensland University (CQU), where it originated as a small in-house collection of working papers drawn from seminars presented by members of the School of Humanities. Under the founding editorship of Warwick Mules, these early publications evolved into an online journal with a focus on regionalism and culture, informed by post-structuralist and cultural studies approaches.
In the mid-2000s, Transformations underwent a significant shift in both scope and structure. The journal moved away from its early emphasis on regionalism, adopting a more theoretically driven and globally engaged outlook, with a growing focus on technological mediation. This transition coincided with the expansion of the editorial team to include Grayson Cooke and Phil Rowe, whose contributions helped initiate a major redesign of the journal’s format and visual identity—an upgrade that positioned Transformations for greater international reach and relevance. In the late 2000s, the journal’s institutional affiliation moved from Central Queensland University to Southern Cross University, following the relocation of both Warwick Mules and Grayson Cooke. After Phil Rowe's retirement, Erika Kerruish joined the editorial team.
In the 2010s, Transformations adopted a more explicit environmental perspective on technological mediation and expanded its publishing scope to include work in film and techno-aesthetics. These developments reflect the evolving interests of the editorial collective and the journal’s ongoing commitment to theoretical innovation. A major milestone in the journal’s history was the publication of Volume 9 (2009), dedicated to the work of Bernard Stiegler and guest edited by Stephen Barker.
Throughout its existence, Transformations has maintained its independent status. While it has had informal affiliations with both CQU and SCU, it has never been formally institution-bound, allowing for editorial autonomy and a flexible, evolving vision. In 2025, the journal's hosting was moved to the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries under editors Nima Bahrehmand, Eric Coombs Esmail, and Brook Vann, where it continues to be independently published.
Disclaimer
The opinions and views expressed in the articles published in Transformations are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of, nor endorsed by, the editors of the journal. The editors make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the articles published. However, the editors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of this information. In addition, the editors of Transformations shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly from the use of this information.