Agenda setting papers

Agenda Setting Papers substantially move forward or initiate a particular debate or field of inquiry. They open up space for reflection on questions, concepts and findings of formative influence to the study of migration politics and for reflection on the intellectual traditions and contemporary developments that shape the field. The innovative argument that Agenda Setting Papers propose is rooted in a critical review of existing scholarship as well as in empirical research. Ideally, Agenda Setting Papers include epistemological reflections on the politics involved in producing knowledge on migration. Agenda setting papers do not consist of summary reports of new data, case studies which apply or test existing knowledge in new contexts, or technical or specialist adjustments to well-developed concepts and/ or debates.

In order to gain a sense of what we are looking for, we encourage prospective authors to consult these previous examples of agenda-setting pieces we have published in Migration Politics:

Editorial procedures – A ‘Virtual Residency’

Migration Politics’ Agenda Setting papers will be developed in accordance with our commitment to slow scholarship, which for us involves the cultivation of “caring academic cultures and processes” (Mountz et al. 2015). Migration Politics invites paper proposals for Agenda Setting Papers. After acceptance as the author of an agenda setting piece, authors are required to submit complete draft papers to Migration Politics. Following the complete draft, Migration Politics works with authors to turn their ideas into the best possible papers. Authors participate in at least two online feedback sessions with selected experts and one online feedback session with the Senior Editorial Fellows, in order to develop their drafts into a piece that is suitable for review.

Submission Procedure

Two times a year Migration Politics will launch a call for submission of Agenda-Setting papers.  The deadline is January 31, 2024, 17:00 CET.

Authors may submit a proposal for an Agenda-Setting Paper through this link.

This proposal should include a paper proposal of 2,500 words which states:

  • An abstract explaining the agenda setting nature of the piece (150 words)
  • The core argument of the paper
  • The body of scholarship that the paper engages with
  • The empirical data mobilized to support the argument – if any
  • The envisaged timeline to finalizing a first full draft

In the submission form you’ll be asked to list:

  1. Your name, institutional affiliation, position, and contact email
  2. Abstract (150-200 words)
  3. Full proposal (again including the abstract)
  4. Confirm that your contribution is original and not under review at another journal or academic publisher and confirm that it won’t be submitted to another journal or publisher until either the proposal was rejected for the residency or, in case you are offered a residency fellowship, after rejection by Migration Politics

Selection Procedure

Proposals for Agenda Setting Papers will be reviewed by three Editors from the Editorial College of Migration Politics.

Proposals will be selected on following criteria:

  • Fits the scope of Migration Politics
  • Substantially moves forward and/or initiates a particular debate or line of inquiry
  • Engages with relevant scholarship
  • Convincingly supported with empirical analysis – if required for the argument
  • Expands the diversity of authors, topics and regions covered in Migration Politics
  • Feasible timeline