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Write for IPDS

A platform for scholars, diplomats, and practitioners whose analysis can inform how peace, diplomacy and security are practised, 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. We hold contributions to the standards of the world's leading policy institutes: a clear argument, verifiable evidence, full disclosure and careful editing. Every submission is checked against those standards before it reaches an editor.

Start Your Submission → What We Publish

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, with its foundation stone laid by Prof. Dr. Johan Galtung, the father of global peace studies.

Real Editing

Every submission is read by an IPDS editor. If your piece needs work, you hear specifically what and why, and you approve the final text before it is published.

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

These eight standards are the bar every submission is reviewed against. They reflect the practice of leading international policy institutes. Read them before you write: they will save you a revision round.

Lead with the argument

State your thesis in the first two paragraphs and be able to give it in a sentence. We publish argument, not summary: a piece that only describes events, or that buries its point, will be returned.

Say why it matters, and to whom

Name the decision-makers who should act on your analysis and what they should do or understand differently. Policy Analysis must set out concrete, workable recommendations with their trade-offs.

Evidence a reader can check

Every fact, figure and quotation is attributed to a primary or authoritative source, dated, and traceable through footnotes, endnotes, embedded links or a reference list. Each format has a minimum number of cited sources.

Original work, honestly produced

Your piece must be your own, unpublished and not under review elsewhere. Text or analysis generated by AI cannot be accepted. Language editing or translation help is permitted if you disclose it. Every manuscript is screened for originality.

Independence and disclosure

Tell us about any funding, commissioning body, government, party or employer tie relevant to the piece. Views are the author's own, and IPDS says so on publication. Disclosure never disqualifies a piece; concealment does.

Balanced and nonpartisan

Describe positions, disputes and evidence fairly, including where reasonable people disagree, rather than advocating for one state or party. We do not publish incitement, unsupported allegations about individuals, or classified or leaked material.

Plain, precise writing

Write in British English, in short paragraphs and the active voice. Define acronyms on first use, avoid jargon, and give long pieces clear headings. Every sentence should earn its place.

A clean manuscript

Submit in the IPDS template with all tracked changes accepted, comments removed and no placeholder text. A clean file is the first sign of a piece that is ready to be edited.

Formats & Word Limits

Choose the format that suits your argument. Limits apply to the body of your piece and exclude your notes and reference list. We read the length and the number of cited sources directly from your file, so submit within range for the format you select.

Policy Analysis

1,200–2,500 words

In-depth examination of a specific policy question: context, the stakeholders and options, a critical assessment of current approaches, and concrete recommendations. At least 6 cited sources.

Expert Commentary

800–1,500 words

A focused, timely argument on a current development in diplomacy, peace or international affairs, written for an informed general audience. At least 3 cited sources.

Research Essay

2,000–3,500 words

A substantive essay built on original research, with a clear method, evidence and conclusions that advance the debate. At least 10 cited sources.

Submission Requirements

Required With Every Submission

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Your name, institution or organisation, email address and a profile link (ORCID, LinkedIn or institutional page)

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A professional bio of 100–150 words

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A summary of your argument (60–120 words) and a key takeaway for decision-makers (20–80 words)

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A declaration of any funding or conflicts of interest, and of any use of AI for language editing or translation

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Your manuscript as a clean .docx in the IPDS template: no tracked changes, no comments, no placeholder text

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A professional headshot, JPG or PNG, at least 600×600px

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Five declarations: originality, facts checked, standards read, rights, and co-author consent

Important Notes

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Submissions must be original, unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere

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IPDS does not pay for published contributions at this time

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Authors retain copyright; IPDS holds a non-exclusive right to publish and disseminate the work

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Co-authors must be credited and must consent to the submission

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Generative AI may not be used to write or analyse; language editing or translation support must be disclosed

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Authors writing in an official capacity should say so in their bio; views are always the author's own

Review Process

Submit

Complete the form below with your details, summary, disclosures, headshot and manuscript. You receive a reference number by email.

Standards check

Your submission is checked against our standards: format, length, sources, a clean file, and complete disclosures. If anything falls short you are told exactly what, straight away, and can fix it and resubmit.

Editorial review

An editor reads your summary and manuscript for fit, argument and evidence. We may come back with questions or a revision request.

Verification

Sources, facts and originality are checked, and an expert reader may be asked to comment on Policy Analyses and Research Essays.

Decision

You receive one of four decisions with reasons: accept, revise and resubmit, decline, or a recommendation to submit to the Journal of Peace & Diplomacy. We aim to decide as quickly as editorial capacity allows and will tell you if a piece is taking longer.

Editing and publication

Accepted pieces are edited in consultation with you, and you approve the final text before it goes live in the Insights section with your byline, bio and photo, then shared across IPDS channels.

Our commitments to authors

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Every submission is read by an editor, and every decision comes with reasons.

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You see the edited text and approve it before publication.

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You are credited by name, with your bio and photo, on every published piece.

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Factual errors are corrected promptly and openly, with a note on the piece.

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You keep your copyright and may republish your work after it has appeared with IPDS, with a credit line.

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IPDS does not alter an author's conclusions; if we cannot publish a piece as argued, we will say so.

Manuscript Template

Write in the IPDS template. It sets out the structure editors expect: opening argument, context, analysis, implications and recommendations, and notes and sources. Delete every instruction line before you submit; the submission check will return a file that still contains one.

Download the manuscript template (.docx) ↓

Before you submit: read the Editorial Standards and write in the IPDS manuscript template. Your manuscript is checked against these standards when you submit, and you will see straight away if anything needs fixing.

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1. About you

Full Name *

Email Address *

Institution or Organisation *

Profile Link *

ORCID, LinkedIn or your institutional page, so our editors can verify your background.

Short Professional Bio (100–150 words) *

2. Your piece

Title *

Specific and argument-led, 10 to 120 characters.

Format *

Word limits exclude your notes and reference list.

Summary of Your Argument (60–120 words) *

The bottom line: what you argue and the evidence behind it. This is what our editors read first.

Why It Matters: Key Takeaway for Decision-Makers (20–80 words) *

Who should act on this, and what should they do or understand differently?

3. Disclosures

Funding and Conflicts of Interest *

Use of Generative AI *

4. Files

Manuscript (.docx) *

Word format only. Sources as footnotes, endnotes, embedded links or a reference list. Accept all tracked changes and delete comments first.

Professional Headshot *

JPG or PNG, minimum 600×600px, a clear portrait.

5. Declarations

This work is original, has not been published, and is not under consideration elsewhere.

I have checked every fact, figure and quotation against the sources cited, and I accept responsibility for the accuracy of this piece.

I have read the IPDS Editorial Standards and my manuscript follows them.

I retain copyright and grant IPDS a non-exclusive right to publish and disseminate this work.

All co-authors (if any) are credited above and have consented to this submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pitch a topic before writing the full piece?

Yes. Email 2–3 sentences on your argument and why it matters to submissions@ipd.org.pk and we will tell you whether it fits before you invest the time. A pitch is optional; you can also submit a finished manuscript directly.

Does IPDS pay for published contributions?

Not at this time. Publication comes with full byline credit, your bio and photo, editorial support, and promotion across IPDS's research centres and channels.

Can I use AI tools?

Text and analysis generated by AI cannot be accepted, and manuscripts are screened. If you used a tool for language editing or translation only, say so in the form. You remain fully responsible for every claim and citation.

What must I disclose?

Any funding, commissioning body, government, party or employer tie relevant to the piece. Disclosure does not disqualify a submission and is noted where relevant on publication.

What happens if my submission does not pass the standards check?

The page tells you exactly what to fix, such as length, number of cited sources, tracked changes or a missing disclosure. Correct it and resubmit straight away. Nothing is lost and nothing incomplete reaches our editors.

How long until I hear back?

You receive a reference number immediately. We aim to decide as quickly as editorial capacity allows, and will write to you if your piece is taking longer than usual.

Can I submit a co-authored piece?

Yes. Name every co-author and their affiliation in your bio, and confirm in the form that all co-authors are credited and consent to the submission.

Can I republish my piece elsewhere?

You keep your copyright. Once your piece has appeared with IPDS you may republish it, and we ask for a line noting it first appeared with IPDS.

I want double-blind peer review, or I have a longer paper. Is that here?

No. That is the Journal of Peace & Diplomacy, IPDS's bi-annual double-blind peer-reviewed journal. See the link in the sidebar.

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