Archives

Religion and Society in Iran: The Current Situation and Future Prospects - 2
No. 16 (2025)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 16 was published by Iran Academia University Press on May 28, 2025. This journal issue primarily examines the profound cultural and social tensions between the Iranian state's Shi'a-based religious ideology and the growing secular lifestyle of the younger generation, exemplified by the "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement. The articles analyze related themes, including the conflict between the state's emphasis on mourning and martyrdom versus society's desire for joy and bodily freedom, the status of women in religious contexts, the discursive construction of national identity in schoolbooks, and geopolitical issues affecting Iran's democratic transition.
Religion and Society in Iran: The Current Situation and Future Prospects
No. 15 (2024)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 15 was published by Iran Academia University Press on October 21, 2024. This issue critically examines the complex relationship between religion, governance, and social change in contemporary Iran. Key discussions include the future role of the Shia clergy and religious institutions, the state's religious and gender discourse in primary education, and the transformation of Iran's socio-political imagination in light of the 1979 Revolution and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement.
Woman, Life, Freedom - 2
No. 14 (2023)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 14 was published by Iran Academia University Press on January 26, 2024. This issue analyzes the "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement, exploring its nature as the first massive feminist uprising and its role in forging a more inclusive Iranian identity. The articles also examine the ongoing generational transformation among Iran's political elite—noting the decline of clerics and the rise of war veterans—alongside discussions on minority issues like the exclusion of Baha'is, the history of the Kurdish ethno-nationalist movement, and the resistance of students in Iranian schools.
Woman, Life, Freedom
No. 13 (2023)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 13 was published by Iran Academia University Press on June 21, 2023. This issue delves into the dynamics of incomplete social movements in Iran, with a primary focus on the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests, critiquing their organizational challenges, societal impacts, and potential for fostering a new social order. It features scholarly analyses, interviews, book reviews, and abstracts examining themes like women's activism, protest slogans, and the role of digital spaces in mobilization.
Turn of The Century - 2
No. 12 (2022)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 12 was published by Iran Academia University Press in the autumn of 2022. This issue provides a multi-faceted analysis of modern Iran's societal, political, and cultural transformations as it enters a new century. Articles examine the rise of secularism, the women's and democracy movements, the evolution of the clergy's role in power, and the historical link between the Solar Calendar, Nowruz, and Iranian national identity.
Turn of The Century
No. 11 (2022)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 11 was published by Iran Academia University Press on April 1, 2022. This issue features multi-faceted analyses of Iran's major social, political, and cultural transformations as the country approaches the new century. The articles cover critical subjects, including the sociological study of violence and crises in contemporary Iranian society, the historical evolution of the women's and democracy movements, and challenges facing secularism in modern Iran.
Science, Power, and Gender
No. 10 (2020)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 10 was published by Iran Academia University Press on October 29, 2020. This issue focuses on the critical analysis of gender inequalities and their connection to institutional power structures in Iran. Key articles explore the political and social dynamics of gender segregation policies, the enforcement of state-mandated dress codes, and the broader ideological role of science and power in women's lives.
State and Society
No. 9 (2020)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 9 was published by Iran Academia University Press on June 28, 2020. This issue is dedicated to the special topic "Government and Society," providing a critical, multi-disciplinary analysis of the complex, often contentious relationship between the state and social imagination in Iran. Articles explore various dimensions of this dynamic, including the role of the Iranian Left, the historical connection between politics and punishment, and a comparative study of gender politics in Iran and Afghanistan.
Nationality and National Identity
No. 8 (2019)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 8 was published by Iran Academia University Press on October 29, 2019. This issue centers on the special theme of "Nationality and National Identity," featuring scholarly articles that critically examine identity politics, youth identity formation in Iran, the historical and contemporary intersections of religion and nationhood, gendered representations of national identity, and marginalized voices within Iranian narratives. It also includes an open section on cultural movements, such as Neo-Mu'tazilism in contemporary Iran, alongside a tribute to scholar Jaleh Amouzgar and guidelines for peer review processes.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality
No. 7 (2019)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 7 was published by Iran Academia University Press on June 28, 2019. This issue is dedicated to the special topic "Women, Gender, Sexuality," featuring academic articles that critically examine gender inequalities and the historical dynamics of the women's and feminist movements in Iran. Key analyses also explore the complex sociopolitical dimensions of gender segregation policies, sexual discourse, and the intersectional demands of the feminist and LGBTQ+ communities.
On the occasion of the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation
No. 6 (2018)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 6 was published by Iran Academia University Press on October 29, 2018. This issue features a special section commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, with scholarly articles exploring hermeneutics in the readings of sacred texts by Iranian religious modernists, Max Weber's perspective on the Reformation, crises in religious space and clerical virtue, the potential for reform in Islam, and the relationship between fascism and religion in interwar Germany. The open section addresses human rights ("the right to have rights"), the history of Muslim leftism across three episodes, a tribute to Ahmad Kasravi emphasizing "one flag, one religion, one language," a report on Iran's social protests from December 2017 to Revolution Street, and guidelines for article evaluation and publication.
On the occasion of the centenary of the October Revolution
No. 5 (2017)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 5 was published by Iran Academia University Press on October 29, 2017. This issue is dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, featuring articles that analyze the historical and theological legacy of religious reform. The main topics explore the enduring relevance of the Reformation's themes, such as the relationship between religion, power, and society, and the challenges of religious modernization and secularism in the Iranian context.
City and citizenship in the mirror of the Plasco tragedy
No. 4 (2017)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 4 was published by Iran Academia University Press on June 28, 2017. This issue serves as a special edition on the Plasco building fire and collapse, employing the tragedy as a multifaceted symbol to interrogate late modernity in Iran, urban citizenship, institutionalized corruption, and the transition from state-centric to society-centric paradigms. It features scholarly essays that dissect the event's broader societal reflections, historical insights into city councils, and philosophical contrasts between Plato's ideal city and contemporary Tehran.
Religion, Secularism, laïcité
No. 3 (2016)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 3 was published by Iran Academia University Press on December 29, 2016. This issue is dedicated to the special topic of "Religion, Secularism, and Laïcité," providing in-depth articles on the complex relationship between religious doctrine, the separation of mosque and state, and the rise of secular thought in society. The analyses explore comparative models of secularism and the ongoing debates about the role of religion in the public sphere, particularly in the context of Iran.
Freedom, Thought, Freedom of Thought
No. 2 (2016)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 2 was published by Iran Academia University Press on June 28, 2016. This issue is dedicated to the special topic of "Freedom, Thought, Freedom of Thought," providing a fundamental analysis of the philosophical, legal, and socio-political dimensions of free inquiry. The articles explore the nature of intellectual freedom, its relationship with power and authority, and the crucial role of unconstrained thought in the development of a democratic and dynamic society.
Humanities, Social Sciences
No. 1 (2015)

The Freedom of Thought Journal No. 1 was published by Iran Academia University Press on June 28, 2015. This is the inaugural issue of the Freedom of Thought Journal, dedicated to the special topic of "Humanities / Social Sciences," featuring contributions from prominent scholars in these fields. The articles provide a fundamental analysis and aim to strengthen the crucial role of the Social Sciences and Humanities within the context of Iran.