The hundredth edition (Summer 2007) was unusual in that it was an all-fiction issue, including stories by such writers as Vandana Singh, Tricia Sullivan, Karen Traviss, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, John Kessel, Nalo Hopkinson, Greg Egan, and Una McCormack.

Foundation first appeared, sub-titled "The Review of Science Fiction", in March 1972 as the official publication of the SF Foundation, then based at North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London).

The journal embodied the SF Foundation's chief aim which was "to promote science fiction, and bring together those who read, write, study, teach, research or archive science fiction in Britain and the rest of the world.

"[1] With the appointment, however, of Edward James as editor in 1986, "a more academic tone" was introduced to the journal,[1] which has endured under the current editorial team.

Part of the journal's commitment to the academic study of science fiction is its annual essay prize, open to post-graduate students and early career researchers.