Submissions

Research Articles

We accept submissions based on empirical research using a wide range of methods and approaches (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, document-based, policy analysis, and beyond). Strong empirical submissions will include the following, but not necessarily in this order:

• grounding in the current literature and critical conceptual or theoretical frameworks; 
• a clear and critical account of how the research was conducted (including how the data was collected and analysed, and the researcher’s positionality in relation to the research);  
• discussion of the results/findings that refers back to the previous literature and/or conceptual frameworks. 

We expect empirical research to go beyond descriptively presenting findings into interpreting these using prior research and scholarship (on the topic, theme, area, field, methods, and/or context of the research). Single-site case studies will need to contextualise sites and explain what aspects are unique and which can be more broadly relevant to other institutions, practices, countries or regions, as well as refer back to the wider literature. We do not publish case studies that specify policies or practices within a single context without reference to broader contexts to which the work is applicable.

Empirical work needs to present an account of its contribution to the field of study that explains the significance or importance of the issue, as well as the originality of the topic or framing. Authors should clearly describe the implications of the research with relationship to policy and practice as well as potential disruptions to the status quo. We encourage authors to include data collection instruments and other materials that help readers fully understand how the research was implemented. This material can appear as a website appendix as appropriate.

Within this category, we also accept literature, conceptual, systematic, scoping, and policy reviews. All submissions should define their approach and scope, engage with conceptual and theoretical frameworks, and justify the significance and contribution on the topic. Criticality should be shown when evaluating existing literature or documents. All reviews are expected to have a critical perspective, extending beyond describing numbers, methodology or bibliometric attributes, and into synthesis of findings or meta-analysis. A list of references or documents included in reviews should be uploaded as a supplementary file.

Word count: Up to 8,000 words, excluding abstract, references, tables, figures, and any appendices. 

Critical Reflections

Critical Reflections submissions are shorter pieces which focus on critical conceptual or methodological issues that evaluate or challenge existing research and/or practice. They are intended to catalyze discussion and debate by problematizing existing discourses, practices, or situations with an eye towards transformative change. Submissions in this category should provide readers with opportunities for critical reflection or considerations for re-imagining research and/or practice in global higher education. They should also offer suggestions for moving the field forward into more ethical and critical directions.

All submissions in this category should be grounded in the existing literature in the field. The topics in focus for this section are purposefully left open-ended and may include, but are not limited to:

• Critical (re-)conceptualizations of key concepts or phrases used in research that are perhaps taken for granted, reflecting on how they might be defined or conceptualised in new ways
• Critiques of existing processes or practices which may stereotype, other, or homogenize students, staff, or processes through research and/or practice, or position their experiences problematically through a deficit lens
• Critical reflections on methodological considerations for improving research in global higher education
• Reflections on under-used theories or conceptual frameworks and their applicability to global higher education (particularly theories conceptualized by women, minority genders, people of colour, indigenous people, and other thinkers and scholars from marginalised positionalities or under-represented contexts)
• Scholarly reflections on timely issues and debates in public discourses or current events which may impact upon global higher education

Because of word count limitations, it is recommended that most articles in this section be conceptual rather than empirical. However, authors are welcome to bring in examples of their research in brief as evidence for their key arguments.

Please note: Fully empirical articles which aim only to share research findings will not be considered for this section. Authors are instead encouraged to consider submitting empirical research as a full ‘Research Article’ to the journal.  

Word count: Up to 3,000 words, excluding abstract, references, tables, figures, and any appendices.

Practice Articles

We accept articles grounded in practice in global higher education, which highlight innovative, ethical, and/or critical approaches to working practices in global higher education. This might include (but is not limited to) practice associated with:

• Curriculum and pedagogy/andragogy in global contexts
• Student/faculty/staff support provisions or development
• Managing or establishing institutional partnerships
• Developing global classrooms or collaborative online learning
• Establishing and delivering study abroad/student mobility programmes
• Leading global programs in formal, informal, and extracurricular settings

Practice-led papers are expected to clearly engage with the applied aspects of global higher education, unveiling some form of action or enactment in the “practice”. As with all other submissions, papers must engage with relevant literature to explain and justify the submission’s contribution to practice and/or policy, research and/or scholarship. Engagement with strong conceptual or theoretical frameworks will assist in this regard, though an exhaustive literature review is not required. Authors are expected to bear in mind a global audience of readers, so explaining local or regional norms of practice or policy contexts will be important. While practice-led papers can include evaluations or other sources of data—such as curriculum documents, project descriptions, or policy artefacts—these not a strict requirement; however, the submission should go beyond personal reflection. Reflections, if included, should grapple with the “practice” or implication(s) of the practice on policy, research and/or scholarship.

Authors submitting practice-based research as a Research Article are welcome to submit a Practice Article alongside their submission, if they would like more space to describe the practice being evaluated in more detail. If you think your work might fit both the Practice and Research Article sections simultaneously, please contact us for clarifications.

Word count: Up to 3,000 words, excluding abstract, references, tables, and figures