Making the Cut: A Humble Roadmap for Navigating Top-Tier International Relations Journals

Abstract

The path to publishing in leading peer-reviewed International Relations (IR) journals often feels like a "black box" of unwritten rules and daunting rejection rates. This session moves beyond generic advice to offer a transparent, practical roadmap for scholars aiming to place their work in top-tier outlets. Recognizing that there is no single "magic formula," we approach the publication process with a spirit of intellectual humility and persistence. The workshop follows a dual-layered interactive format designed to bridge the gap between senior expertise and peer-to-peer solidarity. Seasoned scholars with extensive experience as authors and editors will share "behind-the-curtain" perspectives on framing contributions, responding to revise-and-resubmit requests, and surviving the desk-reject. In addition, participants will engage in structured small-group exercises to workshop their own abstracts and "pitch" their core arguments in a low-stakes, collaborative environment. In sum, this session aims to demystify the submission process and equip researchers—at all career stages—with the resilience and technical clarity needed to successfully navigate the world’s leading IR journals.