Call for Papers: Darkness Reframed in Future Studies
[CLOSED] Call for Papers: Darkness Reframed in Futures Studies
PLEASE NOTE: We have selected a number of abstracts to be developed into full papers and we are aiming to publish them in autumn of 2025. Therefore, we will not be accepting new submissions at this moment.
The future is not only a space for bright hope but also for reckoning with a darker outlook: hopelessness, loss, grief, rage, uncertainty, and the unknown. In this first edition of the Futures Reframed journal, we explore how acknowledging these elements of darkness can open up new ways of thinking about the future. Just as day and night continuously follow one another, both hope and darkness are forces to reckon with in futures thinking: bright hope propels us forward, while darkness provides the depth and pause needed for change. This thematic issue seeks to explore the often overlooked yet critical dimensions of hopelessness, despair, and the complexities of acknowledging the dark that is to come.
We are not just seeking tales of despair. Instead, we consider darkness as holding generative potential: it can be a space of introspection, depth, and transformation. In the spirit of embracing this darkness, we invite authors to consider the often unrecognized value of hopelessness, disappointment, silence, rage, grief, rest, and anxiety. As Martin Luther King Jr. articulated in a 1968 speech, “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” While the discourse on hope tends to emphasize its necessity, we aim to challenge the prevailing belief that darker future perspectives inevitably breed inertia. Instead, we propose that acknowledging and confronting darkness may catalyze urgent, meaningful action. Likewise, we argue that there must be a space for darkness in futures thinking: a space to grieve what might not be changed in time or what is already lost.
Consider the example of climate change: if we remain fixated on the hope that climate crises can be entirely halted, we may neglect critical investments in infrastructure, refugee support, and sustainable practices that we will inevitably need in the future. In this way, persistent hope can sometimes blind us to reality, impeding our capacity for proactive measures. Moreover, it can feel artificial to focus solely on hopeful outcomes when there is plenty of reason to be angry, sad, or scared.
This thematic issue will investigate the theoretical dimensions of darkness, including hopelessness, rage, grief, anxiety, and more, focusing on how this concept can contribute to developing viable futures. We invite contributions that explore how individuals and communities, by recognizing and confronting darkness, can discover new avenues for action and transformation. We also seek practical examples of situations where hopelessness or other elements of darkness have served as powerful motivators—ranging from social movements ignited by despair to creative expressions and innovations that arise from accepting current realities.
By reframing darkness as a valuable starting point, we hope to inspire a discourse that acknowledges the need for action while providing space for a more honest and realistic conversation about the future. We encourage authors to share their insights on the dynamics between darkness and action—how acknowledging the presence of darkness can catalyze meaningful responses—inspiring new ways of thinking to help address the complex challenges that lie ahead.
We are currently developing the first batch of abstracts. Until further notice, we are not accepting new submissions, unless it’s an idea we simply can’t ignore. If you believe your concept is valuable to the theme, you can send an abstract (max. 250 words) to futuresreframed@proton.me. If the editorial board feels it indeed aligns, we will get back to you; otherwise, we will carefully keep your submission and respond in the fall of 2025.
