Call for Papers: International Review of the Red Cross, Standing Call for Articles on IHL, Humanitarian Policy and Action (Rolling Submissions)

The International Review of the Red Cross is a peer-reviewed academic journal produced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and published by Cambridge University Press. First published in 1869, it describes itself as one of the oldest continuing publications dedicated to international humanitarian law, policy and action. It publishes three editions a year, each on a theme of importance to the work of the ICRC, and all articles it closely considers for publication go through double-blind peer review.

Alongside its themed calls, the Review accepts spontaneous submissions on any topic within its editorial line: humanitarian law, policy and action. The editors say they are always interested in articles on these recurring themes:

• Human rights and IHL
• Humanitarian access
• Transformation of the humanitarian sector
• Cyber warfare
• The role of States in IHL and humanitarian action

The editorial line covers humanitarian problems arising from armed conflicts and other situations of violence, operational humanitarian responses to those problems, and the legal challenges or developments needed to respond to them. Proposals outside the editorial line are rejected.

The journal states that it has a standing call for submission of articles from anyone aspiring to become a respected voice in the fields of IHL, humanitarian policy and action, and that it welcomes contributors from diverse professional and geographic backgrounds. Authors may submit articles, notes and book reviews. Co-authored work is accepted.

The Review prefers that initial submissions follow option 1.

• Option 1, abstract: an abstract of no more than 500 words setting out the core arguments and explaining why the topic fits the journal's editorial line, a short biography of all co-authors in a second file, and competing interest statements for all authors. If the abstract is assessed positively, the editorial team will invite the full article, which then goes through the normal review process.
• Option 2, full article: a complete draft of 6,000 to 10,000 words including footnotes, with an abstract and keywords (the Review rarely publishes drafts over 10,000 words; a longer draft needs a note justifying its length), a short biography of all co-authors in a second file, and competing interest statements for all authors.

• Manuscripts must be original, unpublished and academic in tone.
• Simultaneous submission to other journals is allowed, but the Review holds a right of first refusal: if another journal offers publication, notify the Review at review@icrc.org.
• With a fully drafted article, include a signed copy of the Review's Plagiarism and Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Form.
• Any use of AI must be disclosed. The Review warns that undisclosed use of AI, including for footnote references, may lead to immediate and permanent disqualification of the paper.
• Follow the Guidelines for Authors, which contain the editorial process, advice on drafting academic articles and the style guide.
• The Review may reject submissions whose publication would jeopardise ICRC operations in the field, at any stage.

Every submission is first screened by the editorial team. Manuscripts that provisionally meet the journal's standards are sent for double-blind peer review, after which the editors decide whether to accept, ask for minor or major revisions, reject with an invitation to revise and resubmit, or reject. Publication is not guaranteed at any stage. Accepted authors are guided to submit their article to Cambridge University Press for copy editing and typesetting.

The official submission guidelines describe no submission or publication fee.

Email your proposal to review@icrc.org with the subject line "Spontaneous submission". Do not submit through Manuscript Central or ScholarOne. This is a standing call with no closing date. The Review's inbox is closely but not continuously monitored; expect an initial confirmation within a maximum of two weeks.