Submission & publication guidelines

Non-academic publishing in an academic institution 

Many academic journals have barriers to publication that make it impossible to share the diverse ways of knowing, learning, and being that are essential for mass movements of social change. SHIFT intends to break this model: we take submissions from everyone who wants to be published for their work broadly related to social transformation and systems change.

Specifically, we want to highlight the work being done in our community around:  

• Creating alternative systems related to how we work and live together that’s oriented around shared power, sustainable practices, and ancestral or community knowledges 
• Mobilization and coalition-building, particularly across difference or with the aim of political advocacy 
• Influencing or working within institutions to move them towards better equity, justice, and sustainability practices

What we're looking for

The SHIFT Journal accepts submissions from our wider community for both original and pre-written content. We don’t have a specific desired format, and accept everything including blog or journalistic writing, research or academic work, and visual or video arts.  

All work (particularly original content proposals) is subject to editing and discussion with the SHIFT Communications team. We want to work with writers, invest in collaborations, and build up relationships with those published in the Journal. SHIFT may choose to not publish your submission if it falls outside of the mission and values of our organization, is not respectful of difference, or does not meet our editorial standards.

You can submit a proposal or pre-written content at any time. Submissions are reviewed quarterly. 

Writing guidelines:  

• We welcome submissions in either French or English. Submissions will be translated by SHIFT and/or Concordia prior to publication
• We only publish pieces that are 500-1250 words
• We welcome non-tradition submissions as well (including videos, poetry, and artworks). Please fill out the same form for those styles of submissions.
• We accept proposals for a “series” of up to 3 thematically linked articles 
• We won’t publish more than 2 distinct (unlinked) articles per semester by the same writer
• While we do have a small budget for honoraria for original works, they are only offered to pieces that SHIFT commissions from our funded partners. 
• We prioritize submissions from individuals either affiliated with SHIFT or Concordia University. 
• We only publish works from those based in Montreal, related to work taking place in Montreal.

Please Note: If approved, you could expect publication within three months of finalized, approved draft. Any writing remains the intellectual property of the author. SHIFT will only share the content on our website and social media accounts.