Journal Submission Guidelines

What we need

For journals to be considered by UWP please follow the attached guidelines including the following:

1. Name of journal and subtitle and a description of the Purpose of the journal in 100-200 words; why a journal is needed in the area and what is distinctive and unique about your new journal in terms of intellectual contribution.
2. Details of principal editor/s including contact details and one paragraph detailing institutional affiliations, relevant previous publications and credentials for the role including memberships of relevant associations.
3. Composition of editorial board including names of board members, academic affiliation and areas of subject expertise (2-3 sentences for each).
4. Extent of journal and article length. How many issues a year?
5. Any presentation or production preferences or requirements for the journal needed including use of illustration, data, specialist typography or colour printing.
6. Core readership and subject disciplines the journal intends to cover; any wider academic categories you think the journal may appeal to or develop into.
7. The nearest competing journals or journals in adjacent academic fields; why this journal will succeed in attracting submissions.
8. How should the readership for the journal be identified and reached? What factors do you think are most relevant in terms of ensuring the journal is successfully launched and creates an impact? 

UWP normally like to discuss on an individual basis such matters as reference and style conventions, handling of the peer-review process, potential sponsorship and link-up with associations (if a society or department journal) but if you think it is important to mention these at an early stage please include details. 

It is a condition for consideration that UWP journals are peer-reviewed with reference to COPE guidelines and fully referenced.

UWP prefer proposals to be presented under headings rather than as a questionnaire the following being suggested as a framework:

    Background and aims of the journal
    Editors and Board
    Policies, Procedures, Practicalities
     -      numbers of articles and issues
     -      peer review
     -      types of articles
     -      other subject parameters
     -      ethics
    Core readership and scope
    Competition and context
    Readership and marketing

The Process

The journal is first of all considered by UWP staff and associates as to whether it meets our guidelines and is a subject area in which we are planning to publish.

The journal proposal will then be reviewed externally by relevant scholars in the field and usually by a member of a relevant University of Westminster faculty or department.

If the reviews are favourable or mixed the proposal will be considered by the University of Westminster Press editorial board and a decision will be taken quickly whether to proceed. 

UWP aim to undertake reviews of journals as expeditiously as possible and in no longer than 8 weeks from submission. 

Once a journal is accepted procedures for journals submissions, peer review of articles and publications procedure are agreed and contracts signed.

Journal Proposals

UWP welcomes proposals from editors and societies who would like to publish a new journal, or transfer an existing journal to be published, on an open access basis under the University of Westminster Press banner. You can submit your proposal by sending an email to Richard Baggaley.