The Journal of International Affairs publishes research and analysis from leading policymakers, practitioners, and academics. We publish peer-reviewed articles and analytical arguments in our annual print issue, as well as commentary and shorter arguments on our website.
Browse Guidelines
Call for submissions will open in December 2025. The theme of our 2025-2026 issue will be announced shortly.
Submission Guidelines
JIA publishes peer-reviewed academic essays of 4,000–6,000 words and analytical arguments of about 3,000 words, which are not peer reviewed. Those interested in contributing are welcome to submit for either format. All articles must represent original, unpublished work. Conference papers or discussion papers that have not previously appeared in print are welcomed. JIA follows Chicago style, and its citation format is an adaptation of Chicago’s Notes and Bibliography system. Adaptations of existing work, such as book chapters, are considered if they are distinct enough from the original.
Interested contributors may submit a full draft or a 200-word abstract/pitch detailing key questions, arguments, methodology, findings (for an essay), and implications for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. Please email your draft or pitch, along with brief biographical information, to [email protected] with “JIA Print Submission” in the subject line.
Eligible students are encouraged to send entries for our student essay contests.
The Journal of International Affairs website runs in-depth analysis on current global issues and trends throughout the year. We accept unsolicited submissions from thought leaders and practitioners working in various fields across international affairs.
Online submissions may either be Arguments or Comments.
Arguments are long-form academic essays, typically ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 words, which present a comprehensive and detailed inquiry into specific themes (for example: female employment in Japan).
Comments are opinion essays, typically ranging from 800 to 1,200 words, which present sharp and insightful perspectives on a specific debate within a broader theme relevant to global discourse (for example: the UN Security Council should be reformed).
All submissions must be unpublished, original work.
Please email submissions and questions to our editorial team at [email protected] and with "JIA Digital Submission" in the subject line. Please indicate whether your submission is for our Arguments or Comments section.
Basic Online Style Guide
- All facts and quotations must be cited from reputable sources using Chicago-Style Citations.
- Keep paragraphs as short as possible—preferably not more than eight lines long.
- Include a two to three line summary at the head of the essay. The summary should be a tagline for the essay—it must capture the core message of the essay, giving away just enough about the essay to capture readers’ interest.
- Add a brief one- to two-line bio at the end of the article.
All copyrights for articles published in the print issue and online are held by the Journal of International Affairs and the The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York. For permission to reprint articles, please contact the editorial board at [email protected].
The Journal of International Affairs does not take institutional positions and the views represented are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Columbia University.