This paper provides an overview of this Special Issue celebrating the 40th anniversary of Ethnic and Racial Studies. We discuss some of the themes that are covered in this issue in the context of the wider history of the journal. We argue that the journal has worked over the years both to publish the highest quality original research and to feature scholarship in emerging subfields that have helped to broaden both our scope and reach across the globe. In addition we highlight some of the contribution that the journal has made to the development of both established and new areas of scholarship in its field throughout the world.