2025-09-06
The GVU Journal of Peace, Security and Conflict Studies (GVPSCS) invites original, high-quality, and interdisciplinary manuscripts for its bi-annual issues. We welcome contributions that offer novel insights, robust methodologies, and significant contributions to understanding and addressing the most pressing challenges related to peace, security, and conflict dynamics worldwide, but in Africa in particular with a focus on sustainable peace and conflict management.
Criteria for Submissions:
Originality & Significance: Submissions must present original research, analysis, or synthesis that makes a substantial contribution to the field. The work should not be under consideration elsewhere or previously published.
Interdisciplinary Focus: Manuscripts should demonstrate engagement with concepts, theories, or methods from multiple disciplines relevant to peace, security, and conflict studies (e.g., political science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, law, history, philosophy, religious studies, economics, psychology, environmental studies, gender studies, development studies, etc).
Relevance to Core Themes: Research must clearly connect to one or more of the journal's core themes.
Focus on Pressing Issues: Priority will be given to research that addresses contemporary, critical, and globally relevant challenges to peace and security, particularly those offering pathways towards sustainable solutions in Africa.
Rigorous Methodology: Clear articulation and justification of the research design, methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed, theoretical), data collection, and analytical approach are essential.
Theoretical Engagement: Manuscripts should be theoretically informed, engaging critically with existing literature and contributing to theoretical debates within the field.
Clarity and Structure: Writing must be clear, concise, logically structured, and accessible to an international, interdisciplinary academic audience.
Ethical Standards: Research must adhere to the highest ethical standards. For empirical work involving human subjects, evidence of ethical approval must be available upon request.
Book Review Currency (Book Reviews Only): Books reviewed must have been published within the last three years relative to the intended date of the review's publication.
Manuscript Preparation & Formatting:
File Format: Submit manuscripts as Microsoft Word (.docx) files.
Languages: English and French [papers submitted in French language should have the abstract written in English language]
Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the entire manuscript This includes text, quotations, notes, references, tables, and figure captions (all double-spaced). EXCEPT for the Abstract, which should be SINGLE-SPACED.
Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the bottom centre of every page.
Title Page: Include a separate title page with:
Full title of the manuscript. o Full names, affiliations, and email addresses of all authors.
Corresponding author clearly indicated.
Abstract (150-250 words, SINGLE-SPACED). o 5 Keywords.
Abstract Format Requirements (Single-Spaced)
*(150-250 words total; include in both Title Page and anonymized manuscript)*
Structure your abstract concisely under the following mandatory headings in bold:
Research Focus: (1-2 sentences)
Clearly state the core issue, problem, or phenomenon investigated. Identify the specific conflict, security challenge, peace process, or theoretical gap addressed.
Example: "This study examines the impact of climate-induced resource scarcity on communal violence dynamics in the Sahel region."
Objectives of the Study: (1-2 sentences)
Articulate the specific aim or research questions the study seeks to answer. Example: "It aims to analyse how competition over dwindling water and pastureland exacerbates existing ethnic tensions and to evaluate the effectiveness of locally-led mediation initiatives in mitigating conflict."
Methodology: (2-3 sentences)
Briefly describe the research design, data sources, and analytical methods. Be specific about approach (qualitative, quantitative, mixed, theoretical) and key techniques (e.g., case study analysis, surveys, interviews, discourse analysis, statistical modelling). Example: "Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analysis of conflict event data (ACLED) with qualitative data from 45 semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with community leaders, farmers, and herders across three border districts in Mali and Niger (2022-2023)."
Findings: (2-3 sentences)
Summarize the key empirical results or primary theoretical conclusions. Highlight the most significant discoveries.
Example: "Findings reveal a strong correlation between prolonged drought periods and spikes in localized violence, particularly where formal governance is weak. Crucially, the study identifies that hybrid mediation mechanisms integrating traditional authorities with local government structures demonstrated significantly higher success rates in deescalating tensions compared to externally-imposed solutions."
Conclusion: (1-2 sentences)
State the main takeaway or answer to the central research question based on the findings.
Example: "The study concludes that climate change acts as a critical threat multiplier in the Sahel, but locally-embedded, hybrid peacebuilding approaches offer viable pathways for enhancing community resilience and reducing violence."
Recommendations: (1 sentence - Optional but encouraged where applicable) Briefly suggest practical implications for policy, practice, or future research. Example: "Recommendations include increased investment in supporting indigenous conflict resolution capacities and integrating climate adaptation strategies directly into regional peacebuilding frameworks."
Key Formatting Notes for Abstract (APA 7th)
Placement: Include the abstract on both the separate Title Page and the first page of the anonymized main manuscript.
Spacing: The entire abstract must be SINGLE-SPACED (as per your instruction). The rest of the manuscript is double-spaced.
Length: Strictly 150-250 words.
Headings: Use the bold headings (Research Focus:, Objectives of the Study:, Methodology:, Findings:, Conclusion:, Recommendations:) as shown above. Place them on their own line.
Paragraphs: Do not indent the first line of any paragraph within the abstract. Use block format.
Content: Be concise, specific, and avoid citations or undefined abbreviations/acronyms.
Keywords: List in alphabetical order, a maximum of five [5] keywords immediately below the abstract on both the Title Page and the anonymized manuscript.
Example Of Abstract Snippet (Illustrating Structure)
Research Focus: This study investigates the role of digital misinformation in fuelling electoral violence in fragile democracies.
Objectives of the Study: It seeks to identify the primary vectors of misinformation dissemination during the 2023 Nigerian elections and assess its impact on voter polarization and incidents of violence.
Methodology: Using a multi-platform digital ethnography approach, we analysed content from Twitter (X), Facebook, and WhatsApp (n=15,000 posts) combined with geolocated violence incident reports (NSCDC data) and survey data (n=1200 voters) across 6 high-risk states. Findings: Analysis shows a direct correlation between coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting ethnic/religious groups and subsequent spikes in localized violence. Social media algorithms significantly amplified inflammatory content.
Conclusion: Digital misinformation is a potent accelerant of electoral violence in fragile contexts, exploiting existing societal fissures.
Recommendations: Urgent regulatory frameworks for social media during elections and digital literacy campaigns are essential mitigation strategies.
Keywords: Digital misinformation, Electoral violence, fragile democracies , Nigeria and social media
Main Document: The main document should be anonymized for peer review. DO NOT include author names, affiliations, or any identifying information within the text, headers/footers, or on references that could reveal identity (e.g., "Author, 2023"). Use "Author" in citations and references where necessary. Include:
Abstract (again, SINGLE-SPACED, but without author info).
Keywords (again). o Main Text (Introduction, Literature/Theoretical Framework, Methods, Analysis, Discussion, Conclusion).
Acknowledgements (can be added after acceptance). o
Appendices (if applicable). o Tables and Figures: Place tables and figures within the text close to where they are first mentioned. Ensure they are editable (not images) and include clear titles/captions. Provide high-resolution image files (.tiff or .jpg) separately upon acceptance if needed for production.
Referencing Policy for GVU Journal of Peace, Security and Conflict Studies
Primary Style: APA 7th Edition (Preferred)
Accepted Alternatives:
Mandatory Requirement: Consistency within manuscript
MLA 9th Edition
ETHICS MONOGRAPH
Walzer, Michael. Just and unjust wars. 5th ed., Basic Books, 2015.
CONFERENCE PAPER
Pankhurst, Donna. "Post-Conflict Backlash Violence." International Studies Association Annual Meeting, 10 Mar. 2022, Nashville, TN. Conference Presentation.
JOURNAL ARTICLE IN FRENCH LANGUAGE
Badie, Bertrand. "L'impuissance de la puissance." Critique Internationale, vol. 89, no. 4, 2020, pp. 15-30.
SOCIAL MEDIA SOURCE
@WitnessOrg. "Video evidence shows cluster munitions used in residential areas of Khartoum." Twitter, 15 Aug. 2023, twitter.com/WitnessOrg/status/16915XXXX.
Chicago 18th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)
BOOK CHAPTER
Mac Ginty, Roger. "Everyday Peace: Bottom-up approaches to peacebuilding." In Routledge
Handbook of Peacebuilding, edited by Roger Mac Ginty, 215-228. London: Routledge, 2013.
GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT
United States. Department of defence. Annual report on military Power of Iran. Washington, DC: GPO, 2022.
NGO REPORT (FRENCH)
Médecins Sans Frontières. Crise humanitaire au Sahel: Rapport 2023. Geneva: MSF, 2023.
INTERVIEW
Konyi, Samuel (Former UN Peacekeeper). Interview by author. Phone interview, Juba, South Sudan, 5 January 2023.
Turabian 9th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)
THESIS/DISSERTATION
Okonkwo, Adaobi. "Indigenous Conflict Resolution in Igbo Communities." PhD diss., University of Nigeria, 2022 .
NEWS SOURCE
Smith, David. "DRC Peace Deal Collapses Amid Resurgent Violence." *The Guardian*, 12 September 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/12/drc-peace-deal-collapses
LEGAL DOCUMENT
International Criminal Court. *Prosecutor v. Ongwen*. Case No. ICC-02/04-01/15, Judgment (4 February 2021).
FILM/DOCUMENTARY
*The Fog of War*. Directed by Errol Morris. Sony Pictures Classics, 2003. DVD.
Critical Formatting Rules
Element APA 7th
Surname, Initials (e.g., Author Names Kaldor, M.)
Sentence case (e.g., New
Title directions in peace
Capitalization economics)
DOI Hyperlinked (e.g.,
Presentation https://doi.org/XXX) Page Numbers p. / pp.
Non-English
Original + [Translation]
Titles
MLA 9th
Chicago
18th/Turabian
9th
Surname, First Name (e.g., Kaldor, Mary)
Title Case (e.g., New
Surname, First
Name
Directions in Peace
Title Case
Economics)
Preceded by "doi:" (e.g.,
Full URL in note
doi:10.XXX/XXX)
No "p." (e.g., 45-48) p. / pp. in notes
Original only Original only
Submission Process:
All submissions must be made electronically via email to the Editorial Office: [Insert dedicated journal submission email address - e.g., submit@gvu.edu.ng
The email subject line should clearly state: "GVPSCS Submission: [Manuscript Type] - [Short Keyword Descriptor]" (e.g., "GVPSCS Submission: Research Article - Climate Security Africa" or "GVPSCS Submission: Book Review - Post-Conflict Justice").
Attach two separate files:
File 1 (Anonymized Manuscript): The complete manuscript without any author identification, prepared according to the formatting guidelines above (Doublespaced text, Single-spaced Abstract).
File 2 (Title Page): Containing the title, author names, affiliations, emails, singlespaced abstract, keywords, and declaration of originality/conflicts of interest (if any). For Book Reviews, include the full citation of the book being reviewed (Author, Year, Title, Publisher) and confirm its publication date is within the last three years.
Include a brief cover letter in the body of the email introducing the submission and confirming it meets the journal's scope and guidelines.
Peer Review Process:
All submissions undergo initial editorial screening for scope, quality, and adherence to guidelines.
Original Research Articles passing screening are sent for double-anonymous peer review by at least two independent experts. Book Reviews are assessed by the Book Review Editor and/or relevant members of the editorial team.
The review process focuses on originality, significance, methodology (for research articles), critical analysis, clarity, and relevance.
Based on reviewer/editor recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief (Research Articles) or Book Review Editor makes the final decision: Accept, Accept with Minor Revisions, Revise and Resubmit, or Reject.
Authors typically receive a decision within 6-8 weeks of submission (may be shorter for Book Reviews).
Publication Schedule: Bi-annual (Twice per year - e.g., June and December).
Contact: For inquiries not covered above, contact the Editorial Office:
gvpsecs.editorial@gvu.edu.ng or the Book Review Editor: Review Editor email - gvpsecs.books@gvu.edu.ng Publication Process:
Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word to the email gvpsecs.editorial@gvu.edu.ng with a non-refundable processing fee of Ten thousand naira (N10,000.00) or twenty United States Dollars (20 USD), and when accepted, a publication fee of Thirty thousand naira(N30,000.00) or one hundred United States Dollars (100 USD) for foreigners payable to the following:
Account Name: …… Glorious Vision University School of Postgraduate Studies
Bank Name: ………….. UDA Microfinance Bank Limited
Account Number……1200451103
We look forward to receiving your innovative and impactful contributions to the interdisciplinary study of peace, security, and conflict
