About the Journal

Journal of Sustainable Development and Policy (JSDP) is a peer-reviewed, open-access, interdisciplinary academic journal committed to advancing research, discourse, and practical solutions on issues of sustainability, development, and public policy. The journal serves as a critical forum for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society actors to explore the dynamic interplay between environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and social equity in an era of accelerating global change.

JSDP recognizes that sustainable development cannot be achieved through isolated interventions or sectoral silos. As such, the journal encourages interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspectives that bridge the gap between theory and practice, local experiences and global frameworks, and short-term solutions and long-term impacts. Our mission is to publish forward-thinking, empirically grounded, and policy-relevant research that fosters transformative change toward just, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

 

Vision and Mission

The vision of the Journal of Sustainable Development and Policy is to become a leading international platform that promotes intellectual and practical engagement with the world’s most pressing challenges—climate change, poverty, inequality, urbanization, biodiversity loss, governance crises, and geopolitical instability—through the lens of sustainability and responsive policy.

Our mission is to:

  • Promote knowledge production that informs and shapes sustainability policy at all levels
  • Bridge the academic-policy divide by amplifying evidence-based, solution-oriented research
  • Encourage inclusive, participatory, and decolonial approaches to development discourse
  • Provide a platform for both Global North and Global South perspectives
  • Foster collaboration among scholars, institutions, and communities engaged in sustainability efforts

JSDP believes that research is not merely a tool for analysis but a catalyst for action, policy transformation, and systemic innovation.

 

Scope and Focus Areas

JSDP’s interdisciplinary scope reflects the multifaceted nature of sustainable development and policy work. The journal publishes contributions from a wide range of disciplines including (but not limited to) economics, environmental science, public administration, sociology, political science, law, geography, engineering, education, and development studies.

Key focus areas include:

  1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation
    • SDG monitoring, evaluation, and policy integration
    • Financing and innovation for SDG delivery
    • Localization and community-based approaches
  2. Climate Change and Environmental Governance
    • Climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience
    • Renewable energy transitions and green technologies
    • Environmental justice and biodiversity conservation
    • Nature-based solutions and ecosystem services
  3. Urban Sustainability and Smart Cities
    • Sustainable transportation and urban planning
    • Affordable housing, energy efficiency, and circular economy
    • Disaster risk reduction and resilient infrastructure
  4. Inclusive Economic Development
    • Sustainable trade and finance
    • Green jobs and sustainable livelihoods
    • Public-private partnerships and impact investing
  5. Social Equity and Human Development
    • Health, education, and social protection policy
    • Gender equity, youth engagement, and vulnerable populations
    • Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural sustainability
  6. Governance, Institutions, and Policy Innovation
    • Multi-level governance and policy coherence
    • Participatory policy-making and decentralization
    • Anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability
  7. Globalization, Conflict, and Peacebuilding
    • Fragile and conflict-affected states
    • Migration, displacement, and humanitarian policy
    • Sustainable peace and post-conflict reconstruction
  8. Food Systems and Agricultural Sustainability
    • Agroecology and regenerative agriculture
    • Food security, nutrition, and rural transformation
    • Supply chain resilience and water management

We welcome both theoretical and empirical work, especially research that integrates sustainability science with real-world policymaking and community action.

 

Interdisciplinarity and Innovation

JSDP values contributions that challenge disciplinary boundaries and foster cross-sectoral knowledge exchange. We encourage:

  • Comparative case studies and mixed-methods research
  • Interdisciplinary collaborations between science, policy, and community actors
  • Critical perspectives on mainstream development models
  • Experimental approaches to participatory governance and behavioral change
  • Evaluations of policy impact, implementation barriers, and institutional reforms

The journal particularly seeks submissions that offer practical policy recommendations or frameworks that can inform international development organizations, governments, NGOs, and community-based initiatives.

 

Article Types

JSDP publishes a range of content to support diverse scholarly and professional engagement:

  • Original Research Articles
  • Policy Analyses and Briefs
  • Systematic Literature Reviews and Meta-analyses
  • Case Studies and Field Reports
  • Conceptual and Theoretical Papers
  • Practitioner Perspectives and Commentaries
  • Book Reviews and Research Notes

We value contributions from both seasoned researchers and emerging scholars and welcome proposals for special issues on relevant themes.

 

Audience and Impact

JSDP is designed to serve an international and interdisciplinary audience that includes:

  • Academic researchers and graduate students
  • Policymakers, civil servants, and think tanks
  • NGOs, INGOs, and development agencies
  • Community organizers and social entrepreneurs
  • Environmental and sustainability consultants
  • Donor agencies and philanthropic organizations

By publishing open-access content, JSDP ensures that research findings and policy recommendations are widely disseminated, accessible, and actionable by stakeholders worldwide.

 

Academic Integrity and Peer Review

The Journal of Sustainable Development and Policy adheres to the highest standards of academic ethics and rigor. All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process and are evaluated based on originality, methodological soundness, policy relevance, and alignment with the journal’s aims.

We follow the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness at every stage of the publication process.

 

Open Access and Licensing

All content published in JSDP is freely available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Authors retain copyright of their work while granting the journal the right to publish and distribute. This model supports:

  • Unrestricted access to knowledge
  • Wide dissemination through indexing services and repositories
  • Higher citation and impact for authors
  • Compliance with open science mandates