The Grounded Theory Review was established by Dr. Barney Glaser in 1999 and published by Sociology Press. Dr. Glaser served as the first editor-in-chief. Drs. Andy Lowe, Evert Gummesson, and John Klinkert served as associate editors for the first three volumes, with Steve Hedenskoog joining the team for the second (2000) and third (2001) volumes. Glaser (2001) introduced the inaugural editions by writing, 

The purpose of this journal is to publish reprints and original grounded theory papers for the study and assimilation by its readers. This journal will endeavor to capture the current state of generating grounded theory throughout the world and what it is being used for in health, education, business and other fields. In bringing these papers into print, I trust this journal will serve to generate a worldwide community of grounded theorists. It will be a forum for minus mentorees to have others review, share and discuss their “emerging generating”, hence to call upon each other for advice, counsel, and stimulation by e-mail and other telecommunications. (p. 1)

After a noted absence of volumes between 2001 and 2004, Dr. Judith Holton took the reins as editor-in-chief in 2004. She established an international panel of eight peer-review editors, all experienced grounded theorists, to review articles and contribute their own work to the journal. Dr. Holton served as the editor-in-chief for the next 8 years, overseeing the publication of 19 issues of the journal and doubling the number of peer reviewers to sixteen, two of whom also served as associate editors. Dr. Judith Holton co-authored many articles with Dr. Barney Glaser and independently.

 In 2012, Dr. Astrid Gynnild became editor-in-chief of the Grounded Theory Review. Under her leadership, the Grounded Theory Review became an open-access journal. Dr. Gynnild also oversaw the indexing efforts and helped the Grounded Theory Review receive acceptance into Google Scholar and the Directory of Open Access Journals. She served as editor-in-chief for 6 years, publishing 11 issues of the journal, including a special edition celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Discovery of Grounded Theory.

In 2018, Dr. Alvita Nathaniel became editor-in-chief of the Grounded Theory Review. For four years, she worked closely with Dr. Barney Glaser until his death in January 2022. Following his death, she coordinated the June edition as a special tribute to his life and work. She continued as editor-in-chief until 2023.

In 2023, the Grounded Theory Review went through several changes. Dr. Barry Chametzky became the fifth editor-in-chief. Following Dr. Barney Glaser’s death in 2022, the Glaser family also decided to entrust the continued publication of the journal to the Institute for Research and Theory Methodologies (RTM). RTM is a non-profit organization that trains, mentors, supports, and connects students, faculty, and researchers worldwide in qualitative, multi-method, mixed-method, and grounded theory research across disciplines in order to develop methodological expertise. The journal is housed within the Glaser Center for Grounded Theory at RTM. The Glaser Center for Grounded Theory trains, mentors, supports, and connects students, faculty, and researchers worldwide who are learning and using grounded theory.