For Authors

Submissions for our journal are currently closed

This journal is not currently accepting submissions. Submissons will reopen in the summer.

Article types

Below, please find a general overview of the types of content VSJR plans to publish. An important note: since the boundaries between the below categories are often blurred by individual pieces of writing—especially in the case of critical theory and other forms of social-justice-oriented work—we don’t plan to sort each item we publish into a particular category (i.e. a separate area of the website). Rather, the below list is meant to provide a clear break-down of the types of writing we will accept. Editors and members will be responsible for ensuring that VSJR solicits and publishes a balanced array of work from a diverse group of authors. Using the “tags” assigned to each work, readers will be able to filter for particular topics and formats within this section of the website.

Long-form (approx. 20,000 - 35,000 words)

These are traditional law-journal-style articles. Format-wise, they will reflect the classic structure, including separate sections for introduction, background, analysis of the issue, proposal of a remedy/solution/next step, and conclusion. However, our substantive requirements and restrictions for such articles may differ from those of a more “traditional” law journal. We encourage creativity and interdisciplinarity, soliciting and accepting work from individuals and co-authors, both within and beyond legal academia. Moreover, the issues such articles address and the remedies, solutions, or suggestions the author(s) posit need not fall strictly or entirely under the “legal” umbrella. Rather, we view each submission holistically, ensuring that it meets our selection criteria and our values as an organization.

Medium-form (approx. 5,000 - 20,000 words)

These are articles, essays, and papers that are longer and more formal in structure and tone than an essay or op-ed, while not necessarily reflecting the traditional length and format of a law journal article. Medium-form pieces may be written for an academic or professional audience (including scholars, practitioners, organizers, etc.), and they may reflect academic conventions such as citations, section breaks, and clear introductions/conclusions. However, there is no set structure for this type of writing, and submissions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure they reflect our selection criteria and our values as an organization.

Short-form (approx. 1,000 - 5,000 words)

These are essays, opinion pieces, and blog-post-like reflections that are shorter and less formal in structure and tone than the first two categories of writing. Short-form pieces deploy a more casual, less academic style of writing, reflecting their position within the broader local, national, or global conversation around social justice. We encourage the submission of personal essays that discuss authors’ lived experiences, as well as short reflections that include partial and developing thoughts about evolving issues. While such writing will reflect our expectations for relevance, originality, and thoughtful engagement with social justice topics, this section encompasses a wide range of formats and stylistic choices. While, broadly speaking, traditional citations and other academic conventions are not expected, short-form submissions must adhere to our selection criteria and our values as an organization.

“Non-traditional”

The most open-ended category of writing, this includes creative writing, short stories, poetry, multi-media engagement with social justice issues, and other types of writing and reflection that don’t necessarily fit into one of the above categories. Submissions in this category will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, according to our selection criteria and our values as an organization.

Self-help legal guides

This includes original materials created to aid individuals and communities in navigating the justice system. All materials published here will include a clear statement that they are not definitive or comprehensive and do not constitute legal advice. Submissions will be assessed according to our selection criteria and our values as an organization and in consultation with our practitioner partners.

Syllabi

This includes original guides designed for individuals and groups seeking to learn more about a given topic, principle, or theory related to social justice. Syllabi are expected to include a description of the topic covered, at least three learning outcomes, a recommended learning structure (group size, duration of course, suggested assignments), and a fully-cited list of course materials from a wide range of creators. Submissions will be assessed according to our selection criteria and our values as an organization and in consultation with our practitioner partners.

Submission requirements

Manuscript format

Style guide: Chicago Manual of Style
Citation guide: Bluebook
Maximum word count: while there is no maximum word count for submissions, please see above descriptions for general word count reccomendations based on content type.
Font, text size, and spacing requirements: all submissions should be written in a standard font choice (helvetica, times new roman, ariel, etc.), size 12 font, double spaced.

Additional files

With your submission, feel free to include a brief (approx. 300 words) written statement about yourself and/or your submission with regard to the topic or perspective addressed. While this is completely optional, it might allow us to better understand how your work fits within our broader publication goals.

Selection criteria

As an online-only publication, the Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter has the ability to be flexible and innovative with the types of writing we publish. Our expectations regarding format, style, and content are flexible, and submissions will be evaluated according to SJR’s goals and capacity.

We seek intellectually creative work that articulates and/or adopts new, alternative intellectual frameworks for understanding and discussing issues related to the chosen theme (e.g. carceral capitalism). This means different things for different types of written work. More traditional academic articles should be grounded in existing scholarship while offering additional insights into and/or perspectives on the issues being addressed. Shorter-form essays and thought pieces should encapsulate the author’s unique perspective on/attitude toward the subject matter in a stylistically interesting manner. Finally, “alternative” pieces—e.g., poetry, photo essays, interviews, etc.—should demonstrate the intellectual/artistic independence of the writer, artist, interviewer, etc.

We will prioritize the publication of written work that aligns with VSJR’s values as a social-justice-oriented journal, both in content and form. We are interested in work situating individual instances of oppression within broader historical and structural frameworks. While we do not require that authors offer solutions to the issues they identify, we seek content that critiques and/or challenges existing social, political, economic, and legal systems of power—as they relate to carceral capitalism. We strongly encourage submissions from authors whose work reflects or stems from their own encounters with the systems of marginalization about which they write. Finally, we are committed to practicing citational justice and elevating voices from beyond the legal academy.

Selection and publication details

Authors submit work by the submission deadline
VSJR selects articles for an edition
VSJR notifies authors of selected works
VSJR provides exclusively substantive feedback through inline editing
VSJR sends edits to author
Author responds and submits edited draft
VSJR completes above-the-line edits for grammar according to Chicago Manual of Style.
VSJR sends edits to author
Author responds and submits edited draft
VSJR completes below-the-line edits
VSJR sends edits to author
Author responds and submits final draft
VSJR formats work for web publication
VSJR publishes work on journal website