European Political Science (EPS) is an international journal devoted to publishing contributions by and for the political science community. Its interpretation of 'political science' is wide and encompasses comparative politics, political economy, international relations, public policy, public administration, political theory, European studies and related disciplines. Although our traditional focus has been on European affairs and the development of the discipline, we are always on the lookout for work that compares politics in Europe with other continents and countries, and more general work (on other regions) that would be of interest to European political scientists (our main readership).
As the professional journal of the European Consortium for Political Research, EPS is a prime outlet for research articles, notes and opinion pieces about the political science profession, including teaching and learning contributions, as well as Special Issues and academic Debates. We also publish articles presenting original datasets. As a new initiative, we welcome policy commentaries to showcase the policy relevant research.
EPS aims at meeting high academic standards in its publications. Accordingly, if follows a double-blind peer review policy for all contributions, including Special Issues and Debates. We aim at ensuring a reasonable time for quality peer-reviewing. Typically, manuscripts rejected at the preliminary evaluation by the editors are notified within 7 days. For the articles that are sent to review, EPS aims at providing substantial feedback to the authors within 2 months from the initial submission.
We are committed to furthering the global conversation among researchers and professionals around the world. Join us and your peers on our Twitter, LinkedIn and keep up with the latest news: @EPSJournal
Types of articles
The Editors of European Political Science (EPS), invite you to submit the following types of articles.
All empirical articles should comply with EPS’ Open Data guidelines.
Research – High quality articles on relevant research from subfields in the discipline. We welcome empirical contributions based on qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Further, we accept conceptual articles that advance novel theories or contribute to the theoretical debates in political science. Articles aimed at this section should be intellectually stimulating, conceptually and methodologically rigorous, critical and above all agenda-setting.
Profession - Articles about the state of the discipline, and where it is heading, relations between academia and politicians, policy-makers, journalists and ordinary citizens; research
opportunities and impact of research; the process of doing research (ethics, data repositories, open access, etc); and the professional network.
Teaching and Learning - Articles on new approaches to teaching and learning political science.
Datasets - Original dataset accompanied by a short explanatory note (maximum length 5,000 words) explaining the dataset, its novelty, the variables included and the data sources. The descriptive piece will be under copyright, but not the dataset. This format allows authors to get their dataset published and cited, but also allows them and others them and others to use the data for research articles.
Policy Commentaries - These are shorter manuscripts (maximum length 3000 words) that link original research findings to current policy debates. They can include discussion of the policy impact of research and/or policy recommendations. Such articles combine analytical rigour with crisp and incisive writing aimed at an audience of academics and practitioners. We especially welcome contributions that involve co-production of knowledge between academics and practitioners.
Book reviews - Book reviews may take the format of a single book review; a review essay (of two, maximum three, books on a similar theme); a review exchange (authors of two recently published books on a similar theme, review each other’s books and then offer a response to the review of their respective book); and a book review symposium (which consists of two, maximum four reviews of a book and a response by the book's author(s)). Please note that publishers are increasingly making electronic copies (e-books) only available to reviewers.
Special issues and debates
EPS publishes two types of special collections:
1. Special issues.
Special issues are collections of 4-5 articles of 7,000 words each, covering any topic falling under the journal’s scope, under the coordination of one or more guest editors. SI should also include an introduction = article. EPS publishes one SI per year.
2. Debates.
Debates are collections of 3 to 5 articles of 5,000 words each (maximum length of 25,000 words) that expose countervailing perspectives on important current affairs and events, professional matters, concepts, methodological and conceptual developments.. Debates should be conceived to generate awareness and reactions from the political science community. Whilst a coordination of one or more guest editors is preferable, debates do not necessarily require introduction and/or conclusion chapters.
