Collections proposals

What are Collections?

We welcome proposals for collections which will be published as special sections of the journal, and we offer funding for pre-publication author workshops and post-publication events which promote the collection and the journal.

Collections are multi-author collections of papers grouped together under a single theme. For examples please click here.

When is the next application deadline?

30 April 2025.

What is the funding available for?

Funding is available for workshops, seminars and small conferences related to collections. A maximum of £1,000 may be applied for and can be spent as the editors see fit – to cover, for example, travel costs, room bookings and hospitality or speaker honoraria. Nevertheless, we encourage editors to seek other support before relying on PQ funding and also to consider virtual workshops where possible.

Please contact Emma Anderson (Managing Editor) if you wish to make use of this fund.

PQ’s policy is to pay only those authors who are scholars not in full-time academic employment or self-employed writers. Payment may also be made to authors of commissioned articles on a discretionary basis. Please note that editors of special collections are responsible for ensuring that their contributors are aware of PQ’s payment policy and, once contributors are confirmed, for providing details of those entitled to payment to Emma Anderson.

Editors of special sections are entitled to a payment of £300 (to be shared when there is more than one editor).

Checklist for proposals

Proposals should indicate how the Collection will promote debate and publish articles on issues of politics and public policy that are authoritative, informed by expertise and academic insight, challenging, intellectually demanding and innovative. Please ensure the following items are included in your proposal:

  1. The title of the proposal and 2-3 page outline of the theme, its rationale and scope;
  2. The names and contact details of the proposers and at least four firmly-agreed participants, together with brief biographical information;
  3. An indication of the planned number of papers and range of topics;
  4. Prospective invitees, and the wording of the open call, if applicable;
  5. Planned workshop/ event location, date, size and indicative costing.

As a general rule, participants should submit draft papers before the workshop and final versions shortly afterwards, but proposals for preparatory events before papers are written will also be considered.

How do I submit a proposal for a Collection?

Please submit proposals for Collection to submissions@politicalquarterly.net by the deadline indicated above. Proposals will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the Editorial Board and decisions advised within four weeks.

What are the guidelines for submitted papers?

If your Collection is commissioned, the papers should comply with our style guide. The overall word length of a special section should not exceed 70,000 words. Proposals for special sections of 15-30,000 words are welcome.

The deadline for final submissions of papers will be set in consultation with the editors. Final acceptance of submissions will depend on independent editorial review by the Political Quarterly, and the editors reserve the right not to accept all the submissions to a special section.