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CONTRIBUTE

Write for IPDS

A platform for scholars, diplomats, and practitioners whose analysis can inform how peace, diplomacy, and security are actually practiced — not just discussed.

IPDS publishes original, evidence-based analysis from researchers, diplomats, policymakers, and practitioners who share our commitment to informed, nonpartisan dialogue on international affairs. Every submission is checked against our editorial requirements before it reaches our Research Desk, so what you send is reviewed on its merits — not lost in a queue.

Why Write for IPDS

An Established Platform

IPDS is an autonomous, nonpartisan Think-and-Do Tank based in Islamabad, registered in 2013 and formally launched in 2014 — its foundation stone laid by Prof. Dr. Johan Galtung, the father of global peace studies.

Editorial Support, Not a Black Box

Every submission is read by the IPDS Research Desk. If your piece needs revision, you'll hear specifically what and why — not a form rejection.

A Real Audience

Published pieces sit alongside IPDS's own research centres, tracked bilateral relations work, and events — read by the diplomats, policymakers, and researchers who already engage with that work.

Author Recognition

Full byline, professional bio, and headshot on every published piece, cross-promoted across IPDS's centres and social channels.

Topics & Themes

We welcome submissions across a wide range of topics related to peace, diplomacy, and international affairs, including but not limited to:

Peace, Security & Conflict Resolution

Conflict analysis, peace processes, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Global Governance & Multilateralism

UN reforms, international law, multilateral institutions, and global policy coordination.

Pakistan Foreign Policy

Strategic priorities, regional posture, and diplomatic decision-making.

Public Diplomacy & Strategic Communication

Nation branding, cultural diplomacy, and digital influence in international relations.

Track-II Diplomacy & Dialogue

Civil-society-led and back-channel engagement that complements formal state-to-state diplomacy.

Women, Peace & Leadership

Gender-inclusive peacebuilding, women in diplomacy, and leadership development.

South & Central Asian Affairs

Regional security, economic integration, and cross-border dynamics.

SCO & Eurasian Affairs

Regional cooperation, security architecture, and multilateral governance in Eurasia.

European Studies & Transatlantic Relations

EU policy, European security architecture, and Pakistan–Europe engagement.

American Studies & U.S. Foreign Policy

U.S. strategic posture, great-power competition, and Pakistan–U.S. relations.

Climate Diplomacy & Human Security

Climate governance, environmental security, and sustainable development policy.

Emerging Technologies & Digital Diplomacy

AI in diplomacy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation of foreign policy.

Editorial Standards

This is the bar our Research Desk reviews against once a submission clears the completeness check. Understanding it before you write saves you a revision round.

1

Original & Evidence-Based

Claims are supported by verifiable sources — official documents, data, or reporting — not assertion alone. Work must be your own and not under consideration elsewhere.

2

A Clear Analytical Thesis

We publish argument-driven analysis, not summary. State a position and defend it; a piece that only describes events without interpreting them will be sent back for revision.

3

Balanced & Nonpartisan

Consistent with IPDS's own nonpartisan mandate: describe positions, disputes, and evidence fairly, including where reasonable people disagree, rather than advocating for one state or party's position over another's.

4

Properly Sourced

Attribute data, quotations, and factual claims. We do not require a specific citation style, but every substantive claim should be traceable to a source.

5

Professionally Formatted

Within the word limit for your chosen format, in .docx, with a title, byline-ready bio, and headshot — see Submission Requirements below.

Formats & Word Limits

Choose the format that best suits your content and audience. We verify your manuscript's actual word count automatically from the uploaded file, so submit within range for the format you select.

Policy Analysis

1,200–2,500 words

In-depth examination of a specific policy area, including context, stakeholder analysis, and critical assessment of existing approaches.

Expert Commentary

800–1,500 words

Concise, insightful perspective on current developments in diplomacy, peace, or international affairs, written for a broad audience.

Research Essay

2,000–3,500 words

Substantive academic or analytical piece with original research, clear methodology, and evidence-based conclusions.

Submission Requirements

Required With Every Submission

Full name, institutional affiliation, and contact email

A short professional bio, 100–150 words — checked automatically on submission

A professional headshot, JPG or PNG, minimum 300×300px

Your manuscript as a Microsoft Word document (.docx) — we read the word count directly from this file, so it must match your selected format's range

A submission title

Important Notes

Submissions must be original and not under consideration elsewhere

IPDS does not pay monetary compensation for published contributions at this time

Authors retain copyright; IPDS retains a non-exclusive right to publish and disseminate

All co-authors must be credited and must consent to the submission

Editorial Process

1

Submit

Complete the form below with your details, bio, headshot, and manuscript.

2

Completeness Check

Your submission is checked against our editorial requirements — format, word count, required materials. Anything incomplete is returned to you immediately with specific guidance, so you can fix it and resubmit right away rather than waiting on a rejection.

3

Research Desk Review

Complete submissions are read by the IPDS Research Desk for fit, evidence, and analytical quality. We may come back with revision requests before a final decision.

4

Publication & Promotion

Accepted pieces are published in the Insights section with your byline and bio, and shared across IPDS's centres and social channels.

Choose the format that matches your manuscript's length — we verify the word count automatically from your uploaded file.
0 words
Word document (.docx). Not .doc, .pdf, or a Google Docs link — we read the word count directly from this file.
High-resolution JPG or PNG, minimum 300×300px.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pitch a topic before writing the full piece?

Yes — email a short pitch (2–3 sentences on your angle and argument) to info@ipd.org.pk. We'll let you know if it's a fit before you invest time writing. This is optional; you're also welcome to submit a completed manuscript directly.

Does IPDS pay for published contributions?

Not at this time. Publication comes with full byline credit, an author bio and headshot, and promotion across IPDS's research centres and social channels.

What happens if my submission doesn't pass the completeness check?

You'll see exactly what's missing or out of range — word count, a missing field, an unchecked declaration — on the page immediately, and can fix it and resubmit right away. Nothing incomplete reaches our editorial desk, so this step never costs you a long wait.

Can I submit a co-authored piece?

Yes. List all co-authors and their affiliations in your bio, and confirm in the submission form that every co-author has been credited and has consented to the submission.

Can I republish my piece elsewhere afterward?

You retain copyright. IPDS retains a non-exclusive right to publish and disseminate your work, so you're free to republish elsewhere — we'd appreciate a note that it first appeared with IPDS.

I'm looking for peer review, not editorial review — is that here?

That's the Journal of Peace & Diplomacy, IPDS's bi-annual double-blind peer-reviewed journal, not this page. See the link in the sidebar.

On This Page

Looking for peer review instead?

This page is for the Insights section — Policy Analysis, Commentary, and Research Essays reviewed by our editorial desk. For double-blind peer review, submit to the Journal of Peace & Diplomacy instead.

Visit the Journal →

Questions first?

For editorial queries only — please submit full manuscripts through the form, not by email.

info@ipd.org.pk

Ready to Contribute?

We look forward to reviewing your submission and working with you to advance meaningful dialogue on peace and diplomacy.

Start Your Submission → Ask a Question