Write & SUBMIT PHOTOS for our print and online publications as a Contributor

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

The IRR will occasionally accept external submissions for all IRR publications through the Contributor program. While the work of Contributors is not guaranteed to be published, there is a separate submission process that will allow non-staff contributors to publish articles on their own schedule without the requirements of the staff writer position. Additionally, should any staff positions open throughout the year, contributors will be considered first. Submissions are not guaranteed to be published, and must abide by the submission requirements listed below. All submissions and any questions can be emailed to irr@buiaa.org.

 
 

All Online Submissions

  • Original, unpublished work written by you 

  • 500 words minimum, 2000 words maximum 

    • Concise

    • Common language

  • All formats are welcome (research, policy, book reviews, op-eds) 

  • Use Chicago style and hyperlink your sources

  • Preference will be given to issues of contemporary importance

  • While we will not decide whether or not to publish your article without a full draft, you can email pitches to irr@buiaa.org to ensure that an IRR writer is not already set to publish an article on the same topic.

All Photo submissions must be:

  • Photographs, drawings, comics, or political cartoons

  • Original photographs or drawings

  • Quality photographs in RAW, PNG, or JPEG file formats

  • Smartphone photo submissions will be accepted if they are at least 300 ppi

  • Please use the photos below as a reference for submitting your photos

Recommendations from IRR editors

  • The more obscure the topic and country covered, the better!

  • If it isn’t making CNN headlines, we want to hear about it.

  • Diversify your approach: consider culture, science, religion, and economics.

  • Avoid mainstream issues, like Brexit and the rise of the right-wing.

  • Explore countries often not on the front news.

  • Ask a friend or professor to read before you submit.

    • If you are submitting work from class, we ask that you request prior permission from your professor. Send over a screenshot!

  • Read other IRR blog articles to learn more about the structure and style we use.

  • We welcome interdisciplinary approaches (i.e. science, religion, culture, economics).

  • Avoid mainstream issues that gain significant traction in the academic community, like Brexit and the Belt and Road Initiative.


Benefits of contributing to the IRR

  • Opportunity to network with current staff, contributors, and our 1000+ alumni around the world.

  • Hone your communication skills and grow as a writer with individualized feedback from our editorial team.

  • Contribute new knowledge to the world and gain a deeper understanding of current international issues.

Main manuscript categories

  • Research/Academic: 500-4000 words

  • Opinion/Op-Ed: 500-1200 words

  • Policy Analysis/Report: 500-4000 words

  • Book Reviews: 500-2000 words

  • Current Events/News: 500-1200 words


For more information about submissions, please contact irr@buiaa.org.

For more information about photograph submissions, please email irr@buiaa.org with “Photograph Submission” in the subject line.

All submissions are subject to approval and the IRR reserves the right to not publish submissions.