ESJ Publishing for Peace – Open Access Initiative

2025-03-23

European Scientific Journal, ESJ: Publishing for Peace: Open Access Initiative for Promoting Peace and Peaceful Conflict Resolution

We invite researchers to curate an ESJ special edition.

  1. Background and Rationale

As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of our open-access scientific journal, we recognize the importance of academic research in shaping a more peaceful and just world. Over the past 15 years, we have published over 30,000 research papers, contributing significantly to various fields of knowledge. Now, in response to the increasing global need for peacebuilding, diplomacy, and conflict resolution, we are launching a series of special editions dedicated to promoting peace and peaceful conflict resolution.

This initiative aims to bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines to explore innovative solutions for conflict prevention, mediation, and sustainable peacebuilding. To ensure the widest possible dissemination, all accepted papers will be published free of charge, reinforcing our commitment to open-access knowledge sharing. Additionally, we invite scholars and institutions to curate ESJ special issues within this theme, ensuring a broad and interdisciplinary approach to peace research.

  1. Objectives
  1. Promote scholarly dialogue on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and diplomacy through high-quality research publications.
  2. Support global accessibility by ensuring all accepted articles are freely available, removing financial barriers to publication.
  3. Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, welcoming research from social sciences, humanities, law, political science, and other relevant fields.
  4. Amplify impact by engaging researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and international organizations in discussions around practical conflict resolution strategies.
  5. Foster academic leadership by inviting experts to curate special editions, allowing for in-depth exploration of key themes.
  6. Celebrate academic excellence by recognizing outstanding contributions in the field with special awards and recognitions.
  1. Scope and Themes

We invite submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Conflict prevention and early warning systems
  • Mediation, negotiation, and diplomacy strategies
  • The role of international organizations in peacebuilding
  • Human rights and social justice in conflict resolution
  • Case studies of successful peaceful resolutions
  • The impact of digital transformation on conflict and peace
  • Education as a tool for peace promotion
  • Women, youth, and marginalized communities in peace processes
  • Ethical dimensions of peace research
  • Climate change, resource conflicts, and sustainable peace solutions

Additionally, guest editors and institutions are encouraged to propose thematic special issues, focusing on specific aspects of peace research and conflict resolution.

  1. Implementation Plan

Phase 1: Call for Papers & Outreach (Duration: 3-4 months)

  • Launch a global Call for Papers through our journal’s website, academic networks, and partner institutions.
  • Invite researchers to submit their papers to your ESJ special issue.
  • Promote the initiative on social media and through international academic forums.

Phase 2: Peer Review and Selection (Duration: 2-3 months)

  • ESJ will curate an objective but agile peer review process. 

Phase 3: Publication and Dissemination (Duration: 1-2 months)

  1. Expected Impact
  • Knowledge Expansion: Creation of a robust body of literature on peaceful conflict resolution.
  • Policy Influence: Research findings shared with governments, NGOs, and international organizations.
  • Global Accessibility: Removing paywalls allows free access to valuable insights for researchers worldwide.
  • Academic Collaboration: Strengthening networks between scholars in peace and conflict studies.
  • Leadership in Peace Research: Establishing our journal as a leading platform for peace and conflict studies.
  • Increased Citations & Visibility: A high-impact publication that serves as a reference for future research.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit ESJ`s website www.eujournal.org