GPPG is hosting a new type of peer-reviewed article called Global Frontiers. These articles discuss any aspect of public policy and governance in any country/region or from a comparative perspective. They may be analytical/empirical or descriptive, but should contribute to a better understanding of public policy and governance in general and must have strong policy implications. Reports on practices that set benchmarks and best examples in the field are especially welcome. Global Frontier articles will normally be 4–6,000 words.

Rationale and arrangements

GPPG aims that the new Global Frontiers series will be a new outlet for public policy and administration articles that discuss practices with global/regional impacts or implications. These practices will often be innovative, successful, or unique (sometimes they can be outright failures) and help establish standards, best practices and examples or lessons, and stimulating inspiring innovations for both practice and research.

We know that today’s emphasis on theory-driven research has made it more difficult to publish such articles in academic journals that delve into the internal logic, unique mechanisms, and complex dynamics of practice-based innovation. These practices often result from actual demands, contextual conditions, and actors’ beliefs, rather than pure theory. Yet, in-depth analysis of these practices, with rich raw materials, can exhibit their contribution to public policy and administration as a practical field and exhibit to the GPPG audience the essential practical takeaways that often have theoretical implications and which can be examined in such subsequent studies.

Articles in the Global Frontiers series should focus on core mechanisms of the practices that succeed (or fail) to address important policy/administrative issues. The focal object can be a policy, an institution, an organization, or certain ideas and their applications, aiming to handle public governance challenges. These articles can also compare similar practices, which we strongly welcome, and could be from any country - from both the global north and south. Articles should discuss why the practices in question represent ‘global frontiers,’ and provide specific information about the practice elements like their designs and implementation, the factors that led to their success or failures, and the practical and theoretical implications of the practices. Articles should be reasonably in-depth for readers to clearly understand the processes and considerations. Authors are encouraged to offer additional information in an appendix such as useful graphs, checklists, assessments, forms, photos, etc.

Articles may be written by practitioners, scholars, or any team of both. They should have an executive summary (abstract), keywords, the main body of analysis, and references. While the focus and manuscript development are issue- or practice-driven, articles should have theoretical awareness and be clear in their implications for theory and future research.

Interested authors are welcome to contact the editors by email and get confirmation about the appropriateness of practices they may want to write for this series. Submitted articles will be peer-reviewed, and reviewers will be aware of the series’ expectations and purposes, and assess accordingly. GPPG aims for a quick turnaround; in 2023, most manuscripts were processed and received a first decision within seven (7) days from submission. Have a question or proposal for a Global Frontiers manuscript? Ask us, or submit your new manuscript to GPPG’s Global Frontiers series.