Review Process

Open Submissions

The duration from submission to the delivery of reviews is approximately 1–3 months. Publication is targeted within 3–6 months after submission.

The quality assurance of submitted contributions follows a three-stage model:

1. Recommendation by the Supervisor: When submitting the contribution, an additional PDF form (see XXX) is required, containing a publication recommendation from the supervisor along with their name and email address. This recommendation confirms that the contribution meets the minimum quality standards for further review. The form may also include up to three suggestions for potential reviewers. These suggestions will be reviewed by the editorial team but are not binding.

2. Editorial Review: The contribution is reviewed by the editorial team based on a predefined set of criteria (see XXX) that covers key aspects of academic work. These include, but are not limited to, spelling, grammar, logical structure (clear narrative), meaningful headings, image quality, correct citations, completeness of the bibliography, and a plagiarism check. If deficiencies are identified, the contribution will be returned for revision with detailed but constructive feedback. In cases of serious shortcomings, a contribution may also be rejected.

3. Expert Review: After the editorial review and any necessary revisions, the contribution is forwarded for content review to two subject matter experts. They evaluate the contribution for accuracy and depth of content. The contribution may be accepted, returned for revision with changes, or rejected. The detailed feedback aims to encourage the author to revise the contribution further, if needed, and to consider other perspectives. It also provides insights into the practices of open-access publishing.

Publication in Thematic Issues

The review process for thematic issues is coordinated individually with the editors and may, for example, include students as peer reviewers or involve an open review process. We are happy to advise you on all available options.