Urban Research & Practice – Call for Papers for the Policy Section

Call for Policy Papers – Urban Research & Practice Policy Section

Topic:

Urban Research & Practice is making a special call for submissions for its Policy Section. This call specifically targets contributions that do not take the form of traditional original research articles, but instead offer timely and insightful reflections on emerging policies shaping cities today.

Practitioners, policymakers, community actors, activists and researchers are warmly encouraged to contribute. Policy articles selected through this call will not be published as part of a stand-alone special issue of the journal, but will instead appear in the Policy Section of future issues of Urban Research & Practice.

About the journal:

Urban Research & Practice is a well-established, vibrant and cross-disciplinary journal focusing on urban studies. It publishes original academic research alongside innovative contributions on policy and practice. The journal is published in association with EURA (European Urban Research Association), promoting exchange between research, policy and practice, the circulation of innovative ideas and the transfer of knowledge.

Policy Section:

The editors welcome contributions focusing on new urban policies launched at international, European, national, regional and local levels. Submissions should explain the relevance of the policy beyond its immediate context and highlight its potential implications for wider urban debates and policymaking.

Policy articles should be of interest to practitioners, policymakers, politicians and urban scholars. They are typically between 3,000 and 5,000 words.

Guidelines for authors:

Contributions should address core topics covered by the journal and be written in clear, audience-friendly language. Authors are advised to consult the journal’s aims and scope, recently published policy articles and the journal archive before submitting their proposal.

Policy articles should include an introduction, a main text and a conclusion. A methodology section is not required, although authors drawing on a research project may include a brief materials and methods section. The number of references should normally be limited to fewer than 15.

The main text should describe a specific policy, its development or its implementation, including relevant achievements, opportunities and challenges. Contributions may focus on policies for and by cities, responses to contemporary social, economic, environmental or political challenges, and innovative initiatives emerging from particular policy contexts. Authors should provide a clear and critical assessment rather than simply promote the policy, and discuss its potential transferability to other cities, regions or countries.

Submission instructions:

• Abstract: Submit a 300-word abstract by 7 September 2026 to the Policy Editor, Iván Tosics, at tosics@mri.hu, together with a brief bio outlining your background and details of any professional or academic affiliation.
• Notification: Authors will be notified of abstract acceptance by 7 October 2026.
• Full contribution: Full policy articles should be submitted through the journal submission site by 30 November 2026.

Policy papers are not subject to double-blind anonymised peer review, but are subject to rigorous review by the Policy Editor. Final acceptance depends on the quality of the submission and the appropriateness of the topic for the Policy Section.

Contacts and information:

For any inquiries, please contact the Policy Editor: tosics@mri.hu

Further information is available in the journal’s Instructions for Authors.

Please consider contributing and sharing this opportunity with colleagues, practitioners and policymakers interested in emerging urban policies.