This book focuses on the past, present, and future of leisure studies with particular attention to critically assessing gaps in knowledge, future research directions, links between research and social justice, and concerning trends. The chapters were originally published in a special issue of Leisure Sciences.

Diana C. Parry is a feminist scholar who engages in research that advocates that the personal is political while focusing on women's health and leisure. Diana intentionally uses her research and service to advance a social justice agenda by advocating for a holistic understanding and conceptualization of health for women.

Corey W. Johnson is a feminist, qualitative researcher and scholar who focuses on power relations between dominant and non-dominant populations. Corey uses his research alongside service, and engages in advocacy, activism, civic-engagement, service-learning and community partnerships, to create change and unique learning opportunities for individuals and institutions.

Editors' Note Introduction to the Special Issue Looking Back, Looking Forward: 40 Years of Leisure Sciences Corey W. Johnson, Diana C. Parry, and Faith-Anne Wagler 1. "Risky" Leisure Research on Sex and Violence: Innovation, Impact, and Impediments Liza Berdychevsky 2. Are We Ready for "Radical Leisure"? B. Dana Kivel 3. All the Lonely People: Social Isolation and the Promise and Pitfalls of Leisure Troy D. Glover 4. The Serious Leisure Perspective and the Experience of Leisure A. J. Veal 5. Leisure Sciences and the Humanities Paul Heintzman 6. Research on Race, Ethnicity, Immigration, and Leisure: Have We Missed the Boat? Monika Stodolska 7. The Case of the 12-Year-Old Boy: Or, The Silence of and Relevance to Leisure Research Rasul A. Mowatt 8. Evocative Words and Ethical Crafting: Poetic Representation in Leisure Research Sandra Sjollema and Felice Yuen 9. Questions for Postqualitative Inquiry: Conversations to Come Brian E. Kumm and Lisbeth A. Berbary 10. The Time Machine: Leisure Science (Fiction) and Futurology Brett D. Lashua