Publishing standards

Publication Criteria and Submission Guidelines

Peace and Security Studies Platform (PSSP)

In response to the evolving security and political landscape in Africa, and in alignment with the new corporate identity of the Peace and Security Studies Platform (PSSP), a comprehensive system of publication criteria has been reinstated. These guidelines aim to enhance editorial rigor and research excellence, ensuring that all published works harmonize with the platform’s objectives and specialized areas of expertise. These criteria balance scientific professionalism with epistemological utility, encouraging knowledge production rooted in local contexts and field experiences unique to the African continent.

The Platform welcomes contributions from researchers, experts, and those invested in African affairs, provided the following conditions are met. Submission of any work to the Platform constitutes an implicit and full acceptance of these terms.

Upon submission, the author must clearly categorize the material under one of the two approved sections: I. Opinions and Perspectives or II. Articles and Research.

I. Opinions and Perspectives Section

Includes: Intellectual op-eds, situation assessments, and rapid analyses.

Word Count: 1,000 – 1,200 words only.

Criteria:

Objectivity and Analysis: The piece must address an event, phenomenon, or strategic development through an analytical lens based on clear context, avoiding generalizations and rhetorical flourishes.
Style: Balanced and professional language that presents intellectual ideas with clarity and flow without exaggeration.
Citations: While formal scientific referencing is not mandatory for this section, it is highly recommended to cite primary data, documents, and key references where necessary.
Originality: No text that has been previously published, quoted, or adapted from other platforms (partially or fully) will be accepted.
Editorial Identity: The editorial team reserves the right to modify titles or paragraphs for editorial purposes without consulting the author, provided the essence of the text remains unchanged.
Geographic Scope: Only articles directly related to the author’s country of origin, place of residence, or specific field of expertise will be accepted.
Requirements for Submission:
- A brief professional biography explaining background or field experience (70–200 words).
- A high-resolution professional headshot.
- A short CV (Optional for this section).

II. Articles and Research Section

Includes: Academic research, policy briefs, conflict reports, field reports, and briefing notes.

Research & Studies: 1,500 – 5,000 words.
Special Reports: Up to 10,000 words.

Core Academic Criteria:

Problem Statement: The work must include a dedicated paragraph or section formulating the research problem, its temporal/spatial context, and the rationale for addressing it.
Objectives: The goals of the research must be clearly stated in an independent paragraph or within the introduction.
Research Questions: The inclusion of one or more research questions that reflect the problem and guide the analysis is preferred.
Hypotheses (If applicable): In analytical or field-based studies, the author may present hypotheses that represent inferential visions to be tested.
Methodological Cohesion: There must be a logical link between the problem, objectives, questions, hypotheses, and the methodology used.
Methodology and Clarity: The study must possess a distinct methodological structure (analytical, descriptive, field-based, etc.).
Documentation (Citation Style): PSSP utilizes the Chicago Style (Footnotes only). Submissions must be in a legible Word font without extra formatting like shading or frames.
Originality: The work must be entirely original, unpublished, and not translated (partially or fully).
Peer Review and Editing: Submissions undergo a preliminary review by the Editorial Board and may be sent for independent scientific peer review.
Visual Content: Maps are accepted only in specific cases and must be prepared by the author or correctly documented with the source and year. Use of unlicensed images or illustrations is prohibited.
Geographic and Subject Expertise: Only articles concerning the author’s country, region of expertise, or a country where they have lived, worked, or conducted extensive field research are accepted.
Requirements for Submission:
- A professional bio detailing research experience (100–150 words).
- A high-quality professional headshot.
- A short CV (Required for this section).

Note: The Editorial Board reserves the right to add additional methodological or editorial requirements to ensure the work meets academic standards.

III. Copyright and Intellectual Property

Exclusivity: PSSP only accepts exclusive works. The material must not have been published or submitted for publication elsewhere, in any language or format (print or electronic).
Rights: While the author retains intellectual rights to the content, they grant PSSP an unlimited exclusive right of use, including republication, archiving, translation, and use in the platform’s partnerships.
AI Policy: Materials produced entirely by AI tools or those with questionable authorship will not be accepted.
Plagiarism: In the event of copyright infringement or prior publication, the platform reserves the right to withdraw the work and cease future cooperation with the author.
Compensation: If a work is approved and a fee is paid, it is considered symbolic compensation for granting PSSP exclusive and permanent publication rights.
- The author may not republish the work in full elsewhere without prior written permission from PSSP.
- Brief excerpts (up to 25% of the text) or links may be shared on personal social media, provided PSSP is cited as the original source.

IV. Final Provisions

Any work violating these criteria will be automatically rejected.
The Editorial Board is not obligated to provide justifications for rejection.
All views expressed in published materials are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Platform.
Submissions must be sent in Word format to: peacesspg@gmail.com

Updated Date: July 09, 2025