Overview
The ISP Column is a platform dedicated to showcasing diverse contributors, with a special focus on amplifying the voices of young people. It invites submissions spanning various topics, including Myanmar’s conflicts, peace and security issues, China-Myanmar relations, political economy, politics, socio-economic dynamics, international relations, history, culture, literature, and other pertinent subjects. It is designed to spark imaginative ideas and foster discussions and debates. Its core mission is to foster substantive discourse that delivers clear, compelling insights to readers, academics, and the broader public, enhancing understanding and inspiring meaningful engagement. The sharp perspectives and insightful suggestions of the columnists are intended to provoke thought among scholars, researchers, and the wider audience.
Selection Standards
The ISP-Myanmar editorial team evaluates submissions based on the following key criteria:
- The ability to present topics in a way that sparks discussion and debate among the public.
- The ability to identify and discuss new ideas and concepts.
- The ability to stimulate the emergence of new ideas and concepts.
In addition to these criteria, submissions will be assessed for structural quality, including appropriate language, grammar, syntax, and writing style, to ensure accessibility and readability. Content must refrain from discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Selected submissions may be subject to rebuttal articles that critically revisit and respond to the perspectives offered.
Submission Recommendations
- Language: Submissions may be written in Burmese or English.
- Length and Style: Contributions should be concise, clear, and limited to two A4 pages, presenting innovative and well-considered ideas. Additional details are provided in the “Submission Requirements” section.
- Tone: For Burmese submissions, a coloquiall style is preferred over formal prose to enhance readability and engagement.
- Originality: Submissions must be original and unpublished elsewhere. While AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) may assist in drafting, the intellectual and creative contribution must be the author’s own.
- Citations: Including citations is encouraged to substantiate claims, even if not directly embedded in the text, to support verification of information.
Submission Requirements
- Format: Submissions must be provided as Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word files.
- Burmese Submissions: Use Unicode fonts such as Pyidaungsu or Noto Sans Myanmar, set at font size 11 with single spacing. Submissions must not exceed two A4 pages.
- English Submissions: Use fonts such as Times New Roman, Georgia, Manrope, or Lato, set at font size 11 with 1.15 line spacing. Word count should range between 500 and 800 words.
- Structure: Submissions should typically consist of seven paragraphs: an introduction, five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Metadata: Include the column title, author’s full name, pen name (if applicable), a brief biographical note, and a contact email address. List any prior published articles, if relevant.
- Integrity: Submissions must be plagiarism-free; citations are recommended where applicable.
- Frequency: Authors may submit multiple pieces without restriction.
- Submission Process: Columns must be submitted via the designated submissions page on the ISP-Myanmar website. Submissions via email or other platforms will not be accepted.
ISP-Myanmar’s Post-Submission Process
- The ISP-Myanmar editorial team will review submissions against the outlined selection standards upon receipt.
- If a piece is deemed suitable for publication but does not meet formatting or structural guidelines, the author will be contacted with revision recommendations—an action taken sparingly. Most submissions will either be accepted or declined outright.
- Accepted pieces requiring minor adjustments to align with ISP-Myanmar’s syntactic style will undergo light editing.
- Once finalized, selected articles will be published on the ISP-Myanmar website.
Honorarium Fee
A modest honorarium will be awarded as a token of appreciation for submissions selected for publication. While the amount may not be substantial, it is intended to recognize and value the efforts of the writers. Payments will be made in various currencies, such as Myanmar Kyat, Thai Baht, or U.S. Dollars. To facilitate the transfer, authors must provide their bank account numbers or relevant account details for payment processing.
Multiple Authors
Submissions with more than one author will only be accepted if they reflect the consent of all co-authors involved. Each individual contributing to the writing must be duly recognized and listed as a co-author. When collaborating, all participants will be credited as authors and will bear collective responsibility for the entire manuscript content. However, AI tools such as ChatGPT will not be designated as authors.
Plagiarism and Copyright Policy
The ISP Column upholds the highest academic integrity and credibility standards, strictly prohibiting plagiarism. All referenced ideas, data, or findings must be properly cited and credited. Suspected plagiarism will trigger an immediate investigation by ISP-Myanmar. Confirmed violations will result in retraction of the work and its removal from the website. Depending on the severity of the breach, authors may face a submission ban ranging from three months to a lifetime.
Corrections Policy
If errors or inaccuracies are detected in a published article, the ISP-Myanmar editorial team will retract and amend the content promptly to ensure accuracy. Should an author raise concerns or objections, these will be carefully evaluated in consultation with the editorial board, with appropriate actions taken as warranted. The editorial team’s decision following such review will be the final resolution.
Misconduct Policy
Allegations of misconduct in published works will prompt an immediate and thorough investigation conducted in collaboration with the editorial team and relevant experts. Authors may present concerns or counterarguments for consideration by the editorial board. Following deliberation, the ISP-Myanmar editorial team’s ruling will be definitive. If misconduct is substantiated, the article will be retracted, and the author may be barred from submitting for a period ranging from three months to a lifetime, commensurate with the violation’s gravity.
Respectful Engagement
ISP-Myanmar is committed to fostering trust with its readership and delivering high-quality publications, which requires mutual respect among all involved parties. Contributors, reviewers, and editors must uphold professional conduct throughout the submission and publication process. Interactions with authors, reviewers, and readers will be characterized by respect. Any instances of hostility, harassment, coercion, or discrimination will be addressed decisively and will not be tolerated.