The European Journal of Development Research recognises the need to provide a forum for the publication of original and high-quality research by individuals that are early in their research career.

We understand that producing publishable research requires the understanding of the journal peer-review and publication process, as well as understanding the requirements for the preparation of papers to abide by EJDR’s standards in terms of content, and to follow EJDR’s instructions for authors in terms of form.

Early career researchers may not always be familiar with these processes. EJDR’s Early Career Researcher initiative has been designed to assist with the understanding of this process. It is a ‘supported learning’ submissions route for early careers authors, to help fulfil their potential. Authors whose manuscripts are eligible for the Early Career Researcher initiative will benefit from initial internal EJDR feedback on the manuscript: this is to ensure the paper is strong, and that should it eventually be sent out for double-blind peer review, it will be assessed on its merit by reviewers.

EJDR has created a video on this initiative, providing step-by-step comments and guidance on how to structure a strong international development academic paper. Authors are strongly encouraged to first address the video's tips before submitting via this route. Access the video here: EJDR Early Career Initiative - YouTube

Please note that EJDR reserves the right to desk-reject an Early Career Researcher submission, should the developmental angle and relevance of the paper not be clear, should the subject be inadequately presented, or should the manuscript not meet the minimum eligibility standard for consideration for the Early Career Researcher Initiative (please see below). EJDR will only accept one submission by any given Early Career author, as the learning from EJDR’s feedback should be applicable across any concomitant or future papers by the same author.

Once the Early Career Researcher manuscript is received at EJDR and reviewed internally, authors will receive feedback from EJDR’s Early Careers Editor, and be advised whether a re-submission to EJDR is recommended or not. If and when re-submitting to EJDR, as well as the updated manuscript, authors are requested to submit a “Blinded author’s response to reviewers’ comments” document detailing, in table format, the various items of feedback received in one column, and the other column the changes made in response to each element of feedback. EJDR equally reserves the right to desk-reject submissions after revisions following the Early Careers' Editor feedback, if the quality of the revised version does not merit proceeding to the peer review process.

Re-submitted Early Career Researcher manuscripts, once having benefitted from the support and advice of EJDR’s Early Career Editor, will be assigned to a different Editor and re-evaluated. If they are chosen to be sent out for review, they will be subject to the same blind peer review process and stringent quality standards that are applied to all other EJDR papers.

Your paper is eligible to be submitted as a manuscript to EJDR marked as ‘Early Career’, if:

  • At least one co-author has completed a graduate-level qualification (Doctorate or Masters);
  • Each co-author’s latest graduate-level academic qualification (Doctorate or Masters) was completed 5 years ago or less.
  • Please note: if you are a JUMP mentee, your paper is not eligible for EJDR’s early career researcher initiative. Please submit as ‘original article’.

How can I submit a paper for consideration under the Early Career Researcher Initiative?

1. Please familiarise yourself with EJDR’s instructions for authors and ensure that your manuscript abides by these guidelines.

NB: For the moment, Early Career Researcher papers can only be accepted in English. We currently do not accept manuscripts in French or Spanish.

2. Submit your manuscript to EJDR via its online portal http://www.editorialmanager.com/eudr/default.aspx

3. Mark your paper as an ‘Early Career' submission by checking the appropriate box when prompted by the system.

4. Provide details of each co-author’s Early Career Researcher status in your covering letter (see above for eligibility). Indicate the date when, and institution where, each co-author’s highest degree was completed. Please provide relevant supporting documentation pertaining to each co-author, as ‘supplemental files’ when uploading the material for your manuscript. Examples of supporting documentations are copies of degree certificates, or url links that directly lead to authors’ bios or CVs posted on an organisation’s website, whereby these bios/CVs show the date of highest degree completed.

Please note that manuscripts can only be considered under the Early Career Researcher Initiative if these steps are followed.