Submission Guidelines

Weather Matters puts forward one to two thematic Call for Papers each year. We publish research perspectives and reflections exploring human-nature interactions and welcome submissions that draw from ethnographic fieldwork, scientific and social science research, and personal reflections. While we encourage ethnographic writing, however, it is also expected that submissions provide scholarly analysis and address relevant research in the academic literature. We also encourage non-traditional and creative formats, including images, visual ethnographies, and film, as long as the work connects meaningfully to the thematic focus of the Call.

Article Formats

  • Short Research Perspectives: 1,000-1,500 words

  • Long-Form or Analytical Pieces: 1,500-3,000 words

  • Creative or Visual Submissions: No strict word count; please include context or text description as appropriate.

The author(s) cannot submit writings that have already been published in whole or in part in another outlet. A submission can be adapted from previous writings; however, this must be clear and sufficiently distinct. The author must also note that it is “adapted from previous work” at the top of their submission and cite their previous work.

Author Requirements

Submissions are welcome from master’s students, PhD candidates, early career researchers, and independent scholars. We are committed to supporting voices from underrepresented identities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled scholars.

For each piece, authors must include the following:

  • Name, Title, Affiliation, and Date at the top of the submission

  • Works cited in APA style. It is requested that no links be embedded in an author's submissions (any relevant websites can be indicated in the Works Cited)

  • Include this sentence prior to the Works Cited: “Declaration of competing interests: The author(s) has no conflicts of interest to declare.” If not true, the author(s) must explain any conflicts.

  • Images: a minimum of one image is required, with a maximum of seven per submission.

**Current editors may not author or submit publications for Weather Matters during their tenure, but are free to do so afterwards.

Editorial Process

Weather Matters follows an editor-led review process.

  • Submissions are evaluated by at least two editors

  • The author(s) can expect that their submission will be judged on the following criteria

    • the piece is well-written and structurally sound

    • the piece provides a conceptual analysis that is scholarly in nature (i.e., relating to relevant literature)

    • the piece is relevant to the theme and topics profiled in the Call for Papers. 

  • If accepted, the piece will undergo at least two rounds of revision (both substantive and proofreading); however, in some cases, more rounds may be required if authors do not sufficiently address the editor’s comments in the first instance.

  • Editors reserve the right to request additional revisions at any point in the process.

Authors can expect to hear back from editors within 2-3 weeks of the submission deadline. 
Publication will typically occur within 4-5 months of the submission deadline — the author(s) should be expected to be available for revisions during this period. Authors will always have at least ten days to complete requested revisions. Acceptance of a submission is always contingent on the final result following revisions. Any decisions not to accept a submission will be made by the entire editorial team. If there are differences of opinion within the team, a majority vote will rule. While editors will generally attempt to provide feedback to authors whose submission is not accepted, editors reserve the right not to accept a submission without explanation. 

Submission

Please send contributions to our editorial team: contact.weathermatters@gmail.com