Submission Guidelines

The journal welcomes submissions on a wide range of topics relating to the fields of human rights and democratisation, but particularly welcomes contributions that speak to the Global Campus of Human Rights: Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives 2024-2028.

 

Please check below for our Submission Guidelines to contribute to Volume 8!

 

Submission Categories

Manuscripts may be submitted under the following categories:

 

Long Manuscripts: Manuscripts in this category are expected to engage with the theme and literature comprehensively and offer an innovative reassessment of the current understanding of that theme. It is advisable, though not necessary, to choose a theme of contemporary importance and in areas of the journal’s focus. Purely theoretical pieces are also welcome.

(Between 5000 and 8000 words, inclusive of references.)

 

Short Manuscripts: Short Manuscripts are far more concise in scope. These manuscripts usually deal with a particular issue and argue that the issue must be conceptualised differently. They are more engaging and make a more easily identifiable, concrete argument. Authors can focus on Human Rights Education at Universities and specific manuscripts can be submitted on education programmes, academic freedom, research, methodology, teaching, etc. Manuscripts on the role of the university in advancing democracy, human rights, the environment, etc. are also preferred.

(Between 1500 and 3000 words, inclusive of references.)

 

Review Essays, Book Reviews, and Reviews in General: Reviews should focus on texts published in the past three years; older books may be accepted if the author can justify why a review would be timely and a good fit for the journal. Review essays can be made of multiple books. Reviews of films, exhibitions, multimedia, and other media related to human rights and democracy will be accepted. Reviews inform readers about current advances in the field and encourage productive discourse.

(Submissions should be less than 1,500 words in length (up to 3,000 words for review essays), describing the book’s arguments and providing a critical analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.)

Submission Guidelines

GCHRJ requests that the contributors comply with the following guidelines:

 

♦ All manuscripts should be original and should not be simultaneously considered by any other publication.

 

The deadline for submitting manuscripts for the eighth volume (2025) is 30 January 2025.

 

♦ All manuscripts must conform to the style conventions of the journal (see below).

 

◊ Must be submitted as a Word document (.doc or .docx);

◊ Must be consistently written in British English;

◊ Include an abstract (summarizing the article, including its aim, and a clear description of its findings) of between 250 and 300 words. The abstract should include at least five keywords;

◊ Include a brief biography indicating academic qualifications and current professional position, and email contact address;

◊ Use Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 spacing, 1-inch gap on all four sides;

◊ Adhere to the Author-Date system of the Chicago Manual of Style.

(Note: We will accept articles for review in another referenced style on the understanding that the author will reformat the article during the review process. Please refer to the GCHRJ Style Sheet for details.)

Submission Procedure

 

GCHRJ only accepts electronic submissions. Submissions must be completed by creating an author account on our website https://www.gchrj.net/. We do not accept manuscripts submitted via other means.

Editorial Timeline

 

At GCHRJ, we strive to comply with the highest levels of editorial independence and aim to reflect such a policy in our editorial processes. After the deadline of the call for papers elapses, GCHRJ follows the following timeline:

 

 

Round One: Internal Review (2 weeks)

Our Editorial Team oversees the internal review of all submitted manuscripts. Once a submission is received, the team internally assesses the quality, and relevance and foresees the academic contribution of the manuscript. If accepted, the submission is sent for an independent peer review.

 

Round Two: Peer Review (6 weeks)

GCHRJ follows a strict double-blind peer review process where the identities of both the author and reviewer are kept confidential from one another. Our Editorial Board will ensure that the reviewer has sufficient knowledge and academic expertise in the subject matters of the assigned manuscript.

 

Screened submissions are subjected to peer review by at least two experts in the field. Following the completion of the peer review process, the outcome is forwarded to the authors with the reviewers’ decision on the manuscripts. If requested by the reviewer, the authors are expected to revise their manuscripts in line with the comments received. Irrespective of the outcome of the peer review, the GCHRJ Editorial Board reserves the final right to accept or reject any publication.

 

Round Three: Revisions and Final Outcome (2 weeks)

Upon receiving the revised manuscript from the authors, the Editorial Team assesses whether the comments of the peer-reviewers have been satisfactorily addressed and the final outcome is subsequently communicated.

 

Round Four: Editing and Publication (8 weeks)

The manuscript is copy-edited as per the journal’s prescribed style. Following confirmation by the authors of the final set of edits, the manuscript is typeset for publication.