Editorial Policy of the Journal
Vestnik of St. Petersburg University. International Relations is a peer-reviewed multi-disciplinary academic journal, focusing on topical issues of contemporary theory and practice of international relations.
The growing turbulence and rising instability in international relations requires novel approaches to examine world processes and foreign policies of countries. The diversity of opinion and independent thinking comprise a prerequisite for forming theoretical concepts and practical recommendations in the field of international relations.
Contributors to the Journal are a fine cohort of experts from universities and research institutions across Russia and other countries around the world.
The Editorial Board actively corresponds with leading national and international research centres and think-tanks, as well as with professional associations in the field of international relations and comprehensive study of regions and countries.
The Mission of the Journal is to accumulate and disseminate new knowledge, foster ground-breaking research findings in the area of international relations and promote a comprehensive study of particular regions and countries.
The Journal is unique for its ability to encourage a comprehensive theoretical investigation of the evolving dynamics of the global order, including mutually competing trends such as multi-polarity and multilateralism, regional integration and the increasing role of the state, as well as the digitisation of international relations. A particular focus is on Russia’s relationships with the West as well as with new centres of power and their role in the world arena.
Objective
The Journal’s objective is to facilitate innovative and interdisciplinary debate among researchers with a diverging set of theoretical perspectives and opinions across a wide range of countries.
The Journal aims to:
- Publish the results of interdisciplinary research on the most relevant international issues;
- Study new trends within the current world processes and reveal problems that require further research;
- Promote close contact and cooperation between academics in various countries;
- Support the career progress of young researchers through the opportunity to share their findings with a wider academic community.
Academic Scope
The Journal covers a broad range of topics and domains such as:
- The dynamics of contemporary world order;
- Major trends and controversies within current international relations;
- Main challenges faced by regions and countries;
- Key areas of Russian foreign policy;
- Topical issues of theory and history of international relations.
Publication Genres
- research articles (approximately 6000-9000 words);
- discussion articles (2000 words);
- review articles (4000 words);
- book reviews (2000 words).
Target Audience
The Journal is intended for scholars, teachers and experts, public servants and personnel of international organisations, business professionals and journalists who are engaged in academic research and practice of international relations.
Editorial Policy
Vestnik of St. Petersburg University. International Relations publishes the results of independent research. Our editorial policy is based on a strict adherence to research ethics and publishing guidelines. The editorial policy is informed by recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), as well as by the Peer Review Guidelines (https://irjournal.spbu.ru/about/peerReviewGuidelines). The Journal accepts articles both in Russian and English.
Preliminary Verification
Submitted manuscripts are subject to a mandatory preliminary verification for compliance with the formal requirements of the Journal (https://irjournal.spbu.ru/about/submissions). Noncompliant manuscripts are rejected and will not be subject to further review until all shortcomings are redressed. The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any manuscript that fails to comply with the editorial policy of the Journal. The author will receive a notice (regarding manuscript acceptance for further peer-review or rejection due to noncompliance with the formal requirements) no later than 15 days from the date of receiving the manuscript.
Peer Review Procedure
A manuscript accepted for peer-review will be double blind peer reviewed. The reviewers must be recognised experts in the respective area and possess no conflict of interest with the author. Based on the results of their review, the author will receive the part of the review intended for his/her knowledge stating the acceptance or rejection of the manuscript for publishing. In case of the recommendation to revise the manuscript, the author will be sent a summary list of comments to be addressed during the revision process. The reviewing procedure should take no longer than three months from the date of receiving the manuscript by the Editorial Board. To ensure the high quality of published articles and copyright protection, all manuscripts are checked to be free of plagiarism (incorrect or absent referencing).
Technical Changes in Text
The publisher reserves the right to make technical changes in the text of all manuscripts accepted for publication without the express consent of the author.
Payment for Publication
The Journal does not accept payment for manuscript submission, review or publication.
