Helms School of Government to launch peer-reviewed online journal, provide publishing avenue for students

The Helms School of Government has announced the launch of The Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy, a high-quality, peer-reviewed journal that will release online in July.

The biannual publication will feature topics ranging from national security, international relations, domestic policy, and political philosophy, all written by Liberty students from the undergraduate to the doctoral level as well as Liberty faculty, alumni, and practitioners.

“We really see this as a great opportunity for our students to showcase their skills, talents, research, and writing, and to help them move from student to professional status,” said Dr. Mary Prentice, associate professor in the Helms School of Government who serves as faculty advisor for the Journal along with Dr. Kahlib Fischer, professor of government. “We see this as a positive, professional learning experience.”

Three graduate students will spearhead the Journal in editor-in-chief positions, each focusing on a category, and several undergraduate editors will be assigned under each category. Liberty faculty will give final approval after student review for any piece going into the journal.

“This journal will contribute to the whole mission of Liberty: to Train Champions for Christ, because we’re able to delve into topics from a philosophical level,” said Bess Blackburn, a graduate history student who joins Public Policy graduates Shaddi Spencer and Nicolas Stark as editor-in-chiefs for the inaugural issue. “Politics is a very base form of what makes us human. Politics shows us how we are imperfect and ultimately how we view the higher good.”

All Liberty students, alumni, and faculty are invited to submit seven- to 12-page research articles, three- to six-page subject-related book reviews, or two- to five-page national security analysis pieces, which look at trends in concrete national security problems and how to resolve them. The deadline for submissions is May 22, and all articles must be in Turabian format, New Times Roman, single-spaced, with 12-point font.

“When students apply for jobs, they can say they’re published in a peer-reviewed journal. That’s an incredible opportunity,” Prentice said. “This will open the doors for our students to work in think tanks, government agencies, teaching positions, research positions, and all sorts of opportunities. … I’m just excited to help them get another feather in their cap to showcase the incredible work they’re doing.”

For general questions about the Journal, email cllatchford@liberty.edu.