Submissions

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Submission Overview:

Submissions may include critical research articles, reflective narratives, essays, creative works, or reviews, as outlined in the journal’s three sections. Submitted work must not have been previously published or be under consideration for publication in any other journal or book (print or electronic). Publication in a working paper series does not constitute prior publication. By submitting to The Fourth World Journal, authors affirm that their work is not currently under review elsewhere and agree not to submit it to another journal (print or electronic) until the editorial review process at The Fourth World Journal is complete.

Note: Submissions are accepted in English and Spanish. Contributions in other languages may be considered at the discretion of the editorial board.

1. Types of Submissions

We welcome the following types of contributions:

  • 1. Critical Research and Theoretical Contributions
     Peer-reviewed scholarly articles (5,000–8,000 words) based on original research and critical analysis. Open to diverse methodologies that engage with Indigenous issues such as land, governance, culture, and identity.
  • 2. Knowledge from Experience and Community
     Reflective pieces (2,000–5,000 words) grounded in lived experience, oral histories, or community memory. Emphasizes relational and experiential knowledge linked to broader cultural or political contexts.
  • 3. Essays, Reviews, and Creative Expression
     Short-form essays and reviews (1,500–3,000 words) and creative submissions (with a 300–800 word artist statement). Includes cultural commentary, visual art, poetry, and personal reflection.

Note: Submissions that fall outside the indicated word count ranges may be reviewed by the editorial committee, who will decide on their acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

2. Submission Requirements

2.1. Please ensure your manuscript meets the following requirements before submission:

  • File format: Submit your manuscript as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).
  • Anonymous review: Do not include the author’s name or identifying information anywhere in the manuscript.
  • Length: Refer to the “Sections of the Journal” above for word limits by submission type.
  • Font and layout: Use Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced, left-aligned (justified), with 1-inch margins.
  • Citations: Use footnotes (preferred) or endnotes, following the Chicago Manual of Style (Notes and Bibliography format).
  • References: Double-check that all citations are complete and accurately formatted in Chicago style. For citation examples, see the Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide.

If you need help with citation formatting, you can use tools like Mendeley and Zotero, which are free and help you organize references and apply styles like Chicago automatically. EndNote is another popular tool, but it requires a paid license. Microsoft Word also has a built-in citation manager in the “References” tab, allowing you to insert and format citations easily.

  • Reference list: Include a complete list of all cited works at the end of the manuscript, formatted in Chicago style. Published sources should include DOIs whenever available. (especially for academic sources such as journal articles, books, and eBooks).

2.2. When uploading your manuscript to our platform, please provide:

  • Abstract (100–150 words)

A good abstract is a concise, standalone summary that briefly covers the entire paper, including background, purpose, methods, key results, and conclusions. It should summarize the whole work without introducing new information and be able to stand alone as an independent piece of writing. Unlike an introduction, which sets up the topic and scope, the abstract provides a comprehensive overview, enabling readers to understand the main points and findings. It is best written after the paper is complete, when your argument and conclusions are fully developed.

Below is an example of a well-crafted abstract:

*add abstract*

  • Keywords

Choose keywords that are precise and relevant, avoiding overly broad or very long phrases. You want to target specific concepts, methodologies, or subfields related to your research. Keywords should reflect the primary focus of your work without repeating words from the title. Instead, use related, broader, or more specific terms that someone interested in your topic would use, such as Indigenous knowledge, land rights, or sovereignty. Consulting specialized thesauri, such as the ERIC or AIATSIS Thesaurus, can help you find standardized terms and common synonyms in your field.

Including at least 10 well-chosen keywords increases your article’s visibility and helps editors assign reviewers. Effective keywords improve indexing and retrieval after publication, making your work more discoverable to the right audience.

  • A short biographical sketch (100–120 words) for each author, including:
    • Full name
    • Institutional affiliation (if applicable)
    • Location
    • Email address (optional; only included if you consent to its public display in the article)

3. Visual materials, if your manuscript includes images, graphs, or tables:

As a full-color digital journal, we welcome visual imagery and representation. If your manuscript includes images, tables, or graphs, please follow these guidelines:

  • Submit photos, infographics, and illustrations as separate files in JPG, PNG, or PDF format.
  • Preferred resolution:
    • Large visuals: 300 dpi at minimum 3 inches wide, or 72 dpi at minimum 7 inches wide.
    • Headshots: 300 dpi at minimum 1 inch wide, or 72 dpi at minimum 3 inches wide.
  • Tables and graphs must be submitted as separate, editable text files (e.g., Word or Excel).
  • Include figure and image captions formatted in the Chicago Manual of Style.

Note: These specifications are preferred to ensure digital quality. However, if you have a significant visual contribution that does not meet these standards, you may still submit it for consideration. We will work with you to assess the suitability of your work for publication.

4. Style & Formatting Notes

(Chicago Manual of Style – Notes & Bibliography format)

  • Font & Layout: Use Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced, left-aligned (justified), with 1-inch margins.
  • Citations: Use footnotes (preferred) or endnotes, following Chicago Notes and Bibliography style.
  • Block quotes: Indent one tab (0.5 inches), single-spaced, left-aligned (no justification).
  • Titles & Language:
    Italicize book titles and non-English (foreign) words.
    • Use the Oxford comma (e.g., Simpson, Ogden, and Douglas).
    • Place punctuation inside quotation marks.
  • Punctuation & Spacing:
    • Use en dashes ( – ) with a space on either side for sentence breaks or emphasis.
  • Dates & Numbers:
    • Write dates as: Day Month Year (e.g., 28 February 2009).
    • Spell out centuries and decades (e.g., nineteenth century, 1960s).
    • Spell out numbers under 100, except when referring to grades, percentages, or time.
  • Abbreviations & Terms:
    • Use acronyms without periods (e.g., CBC, NATO).
    • Avoid using WWI/WWII; instead, use the terms First World War and Second World War.
  • Terminology for Peoples & Nations:
    • Capitalize the names of peoples and nations (e.g., Indigenous, First Nations, Métis).
    • Use precise and respectful terminology when referring to Indigenous peoples.
    • Refer to communities using their local or official names whenever possible.
    • For guidance, see the UBC Indigenous Peoples: Language Guide.

Important Notice

Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will be returned to the author for corrections.

If you have any questions or need help with the submission process, please contact us at fwj@cwis.org