by Geoboo Song (PSJ Editor-in-Chief)
As we mark the first anniversary of our tenure as the editorial team at the Policy Studies Journal (PSJ), I feel it’s a right moment to reflect on the journey we’ve embarked on and the progress we’ve made. While many of us were familiar with the editorial process through prior experiences, stepping into these roles brought new challenges and opportunities. The past year has been both eventful and productive, filled with significant achievements that have propelled PSJ forward in fulfilling its mission.
One of the most telling indicators of PSJ’s growing prominence is the surge in submissions. Last year, we received around 500 new submissions — a notable increase from the typical 350 submissions per year between 2019 and 2022. Already, in the current year, we have surpassed 360 new submissions, signaling an upward trajectory that speaks to the mounting interest in policy research. To manage this increased volume, nearly 20 members of our editorial team have dedicated themselves to ensuring that each submission is handled with the care and attention it deserves. The collective effort of this team has been nothing short of remarkable.
Transitioning to new leadership is never without its challenges. However, the steadfast support from long standing editorial members and the fresh perspectives brought by new team members have made this transition not only smooth but also invigorating. The guidance of experienced editorial members, such as Drs. Gwen Arnold, Melissa Merry, Aaron Smith-Walter, Holly Peterson, and Creed Tumlison, has been invaluable. Their professional camaraderie with me has ensured continuity and stability.
We are also fortunate to have the enthusiastic contributions of new editorial team members, including Drs. Saba Siddiki, Davor Mondom, Heasun Choi, and Briana Huett. Their fresh ideas and energy have greatly enhanced our operations. Special thanks are due to Dr. Ben Galloway and Victor Akakpo for their diligent handling of new manuscripts, and to Nataliia Borozdina, Camille Gilmore, and Meerim Seiitova for their exceptional work in maintaining our website content and social media presence. Their efforts have ensured that PSJ remains a dynamic and engaging platform for policy scholars worldwide. Behind the scenes, our editorial assistants Eli Polley, Izehi Oriaghan, and Chris Giller have also played crucial roles in keeping our operations running smoothly.
One of our most exciting initiatives this past year has been the introduction of the rolling special collection called Policy Theory & Practice (PT&P). This collection bridges the gap between theoretical insights and practical applications, offering a platform for innovative and impactful policy research. Additionally, we’ve introduced new manuscript types, such as Perspectives and Research Notes, allowing for shorter yet impactful research papers. These new formats broaden the range of contributions to PSJ, enabling us to address timely and emerging research topics in the policy realm.
Engagement with the policy community has also been a priority. We launched the PSJ Blog, designed to foster meaningful communication among those interested in policy research. By sharing valuable insights and highlights from PSJ publications, the blog has quickly become a central hub for discussion and exchange, nurturing a more connected and informed community of policy scholars and citizens alike.
Collaboration has been another cornerstone of our efforts. We’ve actively participated in and organized workshops, roundtables, and presentations in partnership with related organizations. These include roundtables at the Conference on Policy Process Research (COPPR) at Syracuse, the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) roundtable at Michigan, online conversations with authors through the American Political Science Association (APSA) Public Policy Section, and special lectures and presentations at Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, and the International Conference on China Policy Studies (ICCPS). These collaborations have opened valuable opportunities to shape the future direction of PSJ, addressing various theoretical and practical concerns highlighted by the policy community. We are committed to continuing these efforts and are actively preparing special issues on important research topics, such as policy design, policy advisory systems, and the role of power in policy processes. Several more special issues are in the planning stages, reflecting our commitment to responding to the evolving needs of the policy community.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the support of many individuals and organizations. We are deeply grateful to the leaders of the Policy Studies Organization (PSO), the APSA Public Policy Section, Wiley, and the University of Arkansas Department of Political Science and Public Policy Ph.D. Program. Their support, both visible and behind the scenes, has been instrumental in our success. Working as the core PSJ editorial team over the past year has deepened our appreciation for the invaluable contributions of our authors, reviewers, and editorial board members. Their dedication and hard work are the lifeblood of the journal, and we sincerely thank everyone for their support and encouragement.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the future of PSJ and remain committed to advancing the field of policy studies through innovative research, meaningful collaboration, and ongoing engagement with the global policy community. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Policy Studies Journal Blog 