Author Guidelines

Welcome to the Journal of Ecopolitics, Peace, and Sustainable Development (JEPSD). Before you submit your manuscript, please carefully review the following submission guidelines:

Manuscript Preparation:

Manuscripts should be written in English and formatted according to the journal’s style guidelines.

The manuscript must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).

Include a title page with the title of the paper, author(s) names and affiliations, and contact information for the corresponding author.

Manuscript Formatting

Submit in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), written in clear academic English.

Use 12-point font, double spacing, and numbered pages.

Follow APA 6th edition for in-text citations and references.

Include tables/figures with clear titles/captions and cite sources where applicable.

Recommended Manuscript Structure

Title Page: Title, author names, affiliations, corresponding author email.

Abstract & Keywords: 150–250 words + 4–6 keywords.

Introduction: Background, problem statement, objectives, and study contribution.

Literature Review: Key theories/empirical studies, gaps, and conceptual framework (where relevant).

Materials and Methods: Study design, setting/data sources, sampling, instruments, variables, procedures, and analysis methods.

Results: Present findings clearly using tables/figures where helpful (no interpretation overload).

Discussion: Interpret results, compare with prior studies, implications, limitations, and future research.

Conclusion: Key takeaways, practical/policy recommendations, and final message.

References: APA 6th formatted reference list.

Declarations: Ethics approval, consent, conflicts of interest, funding, data availability.

Originality and Ethical Guidelines:

Submissions must consist of original work by the authors and should not have been previously published or be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work meets ethical standards and is free from plagiarism, improper citation, and unethical research practices.

Plagiarism/Similarity Screening (Initial Check):

All manuscripts submitted to JEPSD are first subjected to an originality screening using iThenticate (Turnitin) or a Crossref service powered by iThenticate. This check generates a Similarity Report that highlights matched text and provides a similarity score, allowing the editorial team to identify potential text overlap with previously published literature and relevant web sources. Similarity results are reviewed carefully by the editors—a similarity score alone does not determine plagiarism—and manuscripts with concerning overlap (e.g., unattributed copying, excessive duplication, or suspected redundant publication) may be returned to authors for clarification/correction or rejected in line with our publication ethics standards.

Peer Review Process:

All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process conducted by independent experts in the relevant field. Each manuscript is typically evaluated by at least two reviewers, and additional reviews may be requested where necessary. Reviewers assess originality, methodological rigor, clarity, ethical compliance, and alignment with the journal’s scope, and authors can expect constructive, actionable feedback to strengthen the quality and contribution of their work. Our average first-decision timeline is typically 4–8 weeks, although in some cases it may extend to up to 16 weeks. Editorial decisions may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection, and final decisions are made by the Editor-in-Chief and editorial team based on reviewers’ reports and the journal’s quality standards. We also conduct plagiarism/similarity screening and adhere to COPE-aligned ethical guidelines, maintaining strict confidentiality and conflict-of-interest standards throughout the review process.

Mentorship-Driven Feedback (Koozakar Publishing Model):

Koozakar is transforming scholarly publishing through a mentorship-driven approach that prioritizes learning and improvement. Authors can expect high-quality, constructive feedback designed to strengthen academic writing, research reporting, and scholarly contribution—even when a manuscript is not accepted. Where feasible, rejected manuscripts may still receive improvement-focused guidance to help authors revise, reposition, and resubmit to a more suitable outlet.

Submission Categories:

JEPSD welcomes research articles, review papers, case studies, and short communications focusing on ecopolitics, peacebuilding, sustainability transitions, environmental governance, climate policy, sustainable development, and related interdisciplinary themes.

Formatting Guidelines:

Use clear and concise academic language throughout the manuscript.

Follow the APA 6th edition citation style and formatting guidelines.

Include tables, figures, and references as appropriate, with proper citations and captions.

Submission Process:

Submissions should be made through Koozakar’s online submission portal (linked below).

Include a cover letter outlining the significance of the research and its contribution to the field.

Average number of weeks between article submission & publication: 16 weeks (subject to revision timelines and editorial workflow).

Copyright and Licensing:

Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant the journal the right to publish and distribute the accepted manuscript under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Article Processing Charges (APC)

The APC for all accepted papers is USD 250. These charges support the sustainability of our open-access publishing model and help cover essential publishing services, including editorial processing, peer-review management, plagiarism/similarity checks, copyediting, typesetting/formatting, metadata handling, online hosting/archiving, and long-term platform maintenance. The APC is payable only after acceptance and once the manuscript reaches the final processing/production stage. There is no submission fee. Authors based in the Global South are encouraged to request discounted APC rates, and such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Waivers:

Waivers may be considered for early-career researchers and graduate students conducting self-funded research, particularly from developing countries. Authors with documented financial constraints may also apply for a waiver through the editorial office.

Donations:

We welcome donations from individuals and donor organizations to further support our mission, provided such contributions do not compromise the integrity and independence of our publishing program. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the editorial office for more information.

Contact Information:

For inquiries or assistance regarding the submission process, waiver requests, and publication charges, authors may contact the editorial office: 📧editor_jepsd@koozakar.com

Helpful Links:

Submission Guide: https://koozakar.com/submission-guide

Easy Submission Portal: https://koozakar.com/submissions/create