Sozial Extra

Sozial Extra is a German-language academic journal dedicated to the theory and practice of social work (Soziale Arbeit) and social pedagogy (Sozialpädagogik), as well as adjacent disciplines. It is published by Springer VS, part of Springer Fachmedien, based in Wiesbaden, Germany. The journal traces its origins to the alternative publishing movement of the 1970s: it emerged from päd.extra Sozialarbeit (1976–1982), later renamed Extra Sozialarbeit (1982–1984), and has appeared under the title Sozial Extra since 1985. Its founding publisher was Pädex-Verlag in Bensheim, a collectively owned alternative publishing house. Over the decades, the journal moved through several publishers—Leske + Budrich in Opladen, VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften in Wiesbaden, and today Springer VS. Sozial Extra publishes six issues per year (February, April, June, August, October, December). Each issue typically features two thematic focal points: one practice-oriented section (Extrablick) and one theoretical section (Durchblick), supplemented by additional sections, reviews, and commentaries. The Einblick section contains independently submitted, peer-reviewed articles. The journal's stated aim is to critically examine trends, topics, and backgrounds across the full spectrum of social work and social pedagogy, combining theoretical and practical perspectives. Its target audience includes professionals, educators, students, and experts in social professions, as well as leaders of social institutions. The editorial board includes scholars from various German universities, and the responsible editor is Claudia Himmelsbach (Freiburg). The Editors-in-Chief are Prof. Dr. Verena Klomann, Prof. Dr. Albert Scherr, and Prof. Dr. Jakob Christoph Will. The journal is part of the Springer Nature portfolio and participates in the DEAL open-access transformation agreement, allowing authors from over 700 German research institutions to publish open access in hybrid journals including Sozial Extra. The journal has an ISSN 0931-279X and is listed in the German National Library (DNB).

The history of Sozial Extra is intertwined with the alternative publishing scene in West Germany. Its immediate predecessor emerged from a conflict over the editorial direction of the pedagogical magazine betrifft:erziehung (1967–1986), published by Beltz in Weinheim. As a result of this conflict, Pädex-Verlag was founded in Bensheim as a collectively owned alternative publishing house, considered a model for other alternative businesses of the time. In 1973, Pädex-Verlag launched päd.extra as a deliberate alternative and competitor to betrifft:erziehung, aimed at politically interested and engaged educators. Three years after the publishing house was founded, a social work counterpart appeared: päd.extra Sozialarbeit (1976–1982). This was renamed Extra Sozialarbeit (1982–1984) and finally became Sozial Extra in 1985. The journal's mission from the outset has been the professionalization of education and practice in social work. Its initial subtitle, 'Zeitschrift für Sozialarbeit, Sozialpolitik und soziale Bewegungen' (Journal for Social Work, Social Policy and Social Movements), was later condensed to 'Zeitschrift für Soziale Arbeit' (Journal for Social Work). After Pädex-Verlag ceased to exist, the journal was published by Leske + Budrich in Opladen, then by VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften in Wiesbaden, and today appears under Springer VS Fachmedien, also based in Wiesbaden. Sozial Extra is published six times a year (February, April, June, August, October, December) and reports critically on topics, backgrounds, and developments in social work and social policy. Each issue has two focal points: the Extrablick section is practice-oriented, while the Durchblick section addresses theoretical questions. The magazine also contains additional sections and reviews. The Einblick section features unsolicited, peer-reviewed contributions. The editorial advisory board meets once a year to plan the following year's focal topics. The journal is included in the DEAL open-access transformation agreement between Springer Nature and the German research community, allowing authors from participating institutions to publish open access in hybrid journals such as Sozial Extra.

• 2020

  DEAL open-access transformation agreement takes effect retroactively from 1 January 2020, allowing authors from over 700 German institutions to publish open access in hybrid journals including Sozial Extra.

• 1985

  Renamed Sozial Extra; publication continues under this title.

• 1982

  Renamed Extra Sozialarbeit (1982–1984).

• 1976

  päd.extra Sozialarbeit is founded, the direct predecessor of Sozial Extra.

• 1973

  Pädex-Verlag launches päd.extra as an alternative to betrifft:erziehung.

• 1967

  betrifft:erziehung begins publication (1967–1986), the magazine whose editorial conflict led to the founding of Pädex-Verlag.

A critical, practice-oriented German-language journal for social work professionals, educators, students, and researchers, combining theoretical and practical perspectives.

• Sozial Extra journal

  Six issues per year, each with two thematic focal points (Extrablick and Durchblick), plus Einblick section and reviews.

1. 1Home | Sozial Extra | Springer Nature Linklink.springer.com
2. 2Sozial Extra - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Sozial Extra - Wikidatawikidata.org
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