New format for up-and-coming researchers

Dear friend!

 

If you’re a young, aspiring international relations scholar, you’ve come to the right place. Are you interested in publishing your research or commentary online, but are unsure whether Foreign Affairs will accept it?

 

The Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) offers you an opportunity to show the world your unique way of thinking and the contribution you can make to IR research. Everyday more than 5000 people visit our website, and each one of them is looking for high-quality, forward-thinking analysis of various international topics.

 

RIAC is launching a new format for up-and-coming researchers – the Sandbox, where we will publish articles compliant with RIAC standards, but written by aspiring scholars.

 

Do I match the criteria?

 

–         Age: any (we will consider even advanced 14-year-olds).

 

–         Motivation: a desire to research international relations and politics, as well as a willingness to learn.

 

–         Research record: minimum or none (high school, college, undergraduate and post-graduate students).

 

–         Main skills: a unique way of thinking, the ability to prove your point scientifically, basic academic writing skills.

 

–         Language: Russian and English (advanced level (C1) if you’re a non-native)

 

What should I do next?

 

1.      Firstly, visit our website and read some articles to understand what kind of materials we publish.

 

2.      Write a brief abstract (not more than 250 words) and send it to sandbox@russiancouncil.ru with your article (or feel free to send the full text later), where you analyze an understudied issue or use a new approach to a well-known topic. The abstract must contain the title, main ideas and arguments that prove their relevance. Remember that you have to catch our attention! In your pitch, please provide brief information about yourself and attach your photo.

 

3.      Wait for a letter from the editors with a link to your article in the Sandbox, which you can (and should) share with your friends.

 

4.      Leave at least two comments on other articles in the Sandbox so that we can evaluate your critical approach and willingness to engage in a discussion.

 

Every so often, we will review published articles. If your article is posted on the Sandbox, provides a unique, well-written and profound analysis of the issue, and is appreciated by the readers, it might be published on RIAC’s main page. In this case, your name will appear next to those of widely-renowned experts, advanced scholars and PhD’s.

 

If your paper does not match these requirements, we will gladly respond and explain how to improve it. RIAC editors do request that authors not overload them with e-mails, but respect their time commitments.

 

Please do not send us:

 

–         Plagiarism or compiled papers.

 

–         Essays, theses, or dissertations you have written or submitted elsewhere (you have to at least rewrite their arguments first).

 

–         Articles that do not fit within the research scope of the RIAC. As much as the topic of lemmings’ migrations affecting climate change in the Great Lakes might be interesting, it will not work with our website. Unless, of course, it affects the policymaking process of the US.

 

At lastly, the most important thing – requirements:

 

–         The article should be dedicated to a narrow topic or an understudied problem of international relations or politics, or contain a new viewpoint, analytical approach or conclusion.

 

–         Clear arguments, specific conclusions and policy recommendations are a must. We pay special attention to this.

 

–        Size – not more than 1500 words.

 

–         Style – academic, but not dull.

 

–         A clear scientific methodology is absolutely necessary.

 

–         Academic quality. The material should stay on topic and be accompanied by due citations and references (in compliance with CMOS).

 

–         Analytic content. Facts should only be used to defend conclusions; they are not self-sufficient.

 

–         Uniqueness. At least 80% of the text should be original.

 

–         Relevance. You should use only the latest sources and statistics. Historical background must not exceed 10% of the text.

 

–         Practical value. The article must contain proven critical notes, specific recommendations and ways to implement them.

 

–         Solid structure: title, brief preview (270 characters), subtitles, and conclusion.

 

–         2-3 images to illustrate your article.

 

If you’ve read up to this point, it’s time to send us your abstract and articles at sandbox@russiancouncil.ru.

 

Good luck with your research,

RIAC Team