FAQs for both Calls

  • Do I need to be European and or live in Europe? 

No. We, at the EST, welcome people from all parts of the world and do not discriminate based on origin. 

 

  • Do I need to write about European affairs? 

Yes, however this theme is very broad. We welcome articles about European affairs with a focus on politics, society and culture.

 

  • Can submissions have more than one author? 

Yes! 

 

  • Can I submit my article at university too?

Yes, however you have to make sure it has and will not be published anywhere else, otherwise the copyright may be challenged.

 

  • Can I submit an article/apply to be a reviewer if I am part of the EST already?

Yes, we would love to read your applications!

 

  • If my paper is rejected, will it be published on EST Website?

Yes! If you shorten your paper based on the standard of EST website, we will be happy to consider publishing it on our website. Furthermore, you are more than welcome to apply to be a full-time writer/editor for the think tank. 

 

  • What is the age range allowed to submit articles and apply to be a reviewer?

As the EPR is a student platform, any student (undergraduate or postgraduate level) is able to submit articles or apply to be a reviewer. As students come from different generations, there is no specific age range. 

 

  • What level of education do I need to have?

For both authors and reviewers, a minimum requirement is an undergraduate education (N.B. Masters, PhD or any other postgraduate level students will have a higher chance of being selected).

 

  • Do I need to have any editorial experience to apply to be a reviewer? 

Editing/peer-reviewing experience is not mandatory, however it is preferred. A training session will be run by the Editorial Office to equip the selected candidates with universal editorial skills and knowledge of specific EST standards and practises. 

 

  • What topics have people written about in the past?

In the most recent volume of the journal, article topics included EU-Turkey diplomatic negotiations, the impact of Brexit on UK-EU security cooperation, and the EU Gender Strategy. As article titles and subjects are chosen by the author, you have the opportunity to be as creative as possible! (Just as long as it involves European affairs). 

 

FAQs for EPR Process

 

  • When will I be notified whether my article has passed the initial review? 

We hope to have notified all authors by the 1st April, however, this is subject to change depending on whether there is a larger volume of article submissions than anticipated. We are planning for only 12-15 articles to be published in this year’s EPR, meaning that the submission process will be competitive. 

 

  • When will I be notified whether my application for a reviewer position was successful? 

Invites to peer review will be sent out in the first week of April – roughly the same time as when authors will be notified about the outcome of the initial review of their articles. 

 

  • How many articles will a reviewer be tasked with editing? 

Each reviewer will be tasked with no more than two articles to ensure that the workload does not impact the quality of editing. 

 

  • When will I, if my article passes the initial review, be required to respond to feedback on the article? 

The peer review/writer response process is timetabled to last 2-3 months(April-May/June). This extended period will hopefully ease the pressure on article writers, who are often undergraduate or postgraduate students undertaking their final exams around this time of year. 

 

  • Will Ibe able to contact the author/reviewer directly if I am also an author/reviewer? 

Unfortunately not. A direct connection between the reviewer/author would be hard for the editorial office to regulate. All communications between the reviewer and author will be conducted through the editorial office. The peer review process will, therefore be blind. Although this means communications are less immediate, it ensures that EST standards and practices for the editorial process are met. 

 

  • How will my peer review work for the EPR be recognised?

Your hard work, as a peer reviewer, will be recognised through named accreditation in this year’s EPR issue. Furthermore, you can request a ‘Certificate for Completed Review’ to supplement your portfolio/curriculum vitae/resume. 

 

General FAQs

 

  • When will the EPR be published? 

The EPR will be published in the fall of 2021.

 

  • Who should I contact if I have any more inquiries about the EPR? 

Please contact James Balzar and Harvey Dryer at the Editorial Office (editorialoffice@esthinktank.com) for further questions.

 

  • What is the European Student Think (EST)? 

The European Student Think Tank is an institution that provides a platform for young people across the world to engage with European affairs. Not only does it allow young people to publish their own articles, edit article submissions, and represent regions of Europe as Ambassadors, it also provides an opportunity to form global connections with like-minded people. 

 

  • I would like to get involved with writing/editing articles for the European Student Think Tank.  How can I do this? 

The deadline for writer/editor applications is now closed for 2020/2021. We will be taking in applications from new writers and editors between the months of August and September.