[1] It is published five times a year by Taylor & Francis.

[2][3] The journal was founded by Pippa Catterall (of the University of Westminster).

In addition to Catterall, the current editors are David Kaplan (Kent State University), Samir Pandya (University of Westminster), and Becky Kook (Ben Gurion University).

[4][5][6] In the journal's inaugural issue, the editors described National Identities as a "forum" for discussion of "competing sources of identity, whether regional, tribal, religious or political.." and stated that "the prime unit of analysis" would be identity, "how it is expressed and mediated, and how it relates to the state and the problematic construction of the nation.

"[8] The Bibliographical Bulletin on Federalism describes National Identities as part of the trend towards globalization, which led to a, "growing interest in national identities.