The Centre for Digital Governance blog focuses on submissions from Centre researchers and accepts submissions from Hertie School staff, students, and alumni. External contributors are also welcome to propose ideas to the editors, provided they are relevant to the topical focus of the Centre for Digital Governance.
We seek to publish opinion pieces, which are in terms of content at liberty to the author as long as they fit within the mission of our centre. At the same time, we aim to encourage engagement with potential criticism in order to promote independent academic but policy-relevant views. So, we believe that contributions are strengthened by engagement with potential counter-arguments to provide a balanced view.
We are interested in submissions covering a wide range of topics broadly related to digital governance such as digitalisation, privacy, government-business relations, regulation, ethical implications of digitalisation, policy, innovation, and global perspectives on digitalisation. We also welcome short and timely submissions on current events.
If you wish to write an article, please take a look at our guidelines below. Please then email your idea to the editor (digitalgovernance[at]hertie-school[dot]org) and we will get in touch with you. Please include the words "Blog submission" in your email subject. All submissions will be subject to the approval of the editors.
Please follow the following Editorial Guidelines:
Content and length
- All articles must be related to the mission of the Centre for Digital Governance and its research areas.
- Regular submissions should be around 800 words in length, demonstrating knowledge of a particular policy issue or research focus.
- Longer submissions are possible, though please discuss this with the editors prior to submitting.
- Shorter submissions – “snap contributions” about current events – are also possible. Aim for around 400 words here.
- Include a title of around 20 words in a narrative style that sums up your main argument.
- You may include tables, charts, relevant figures and images (please send them as separate files) where appropriate. Please ensure you have referenced these properly if they are not your own work.
Writing style and audience
- Submissions are to be written in British English, and references should be made directly in the piece via hyperlinks.
- Write for a relatively wide audience, including non-academics such as policy makers.
- Explain technical terms and abbreviations, and avoid jargon.
- This is a blog, and not an academic journal, meaning you should use a less-formal style.
- Attribute any quoted/paraphrased info with links to the sources. All articles will be checked for plagiarism.
- Your post should be original. If it has been previously published, please make this clear in your submission.
- Please provide a teaser paragraph, a 50-word biography, with links to a personal website or profile, as well as a high resolution photo of yourself.
Editorial process
- It may take up to 2 weeks before we publish your article, and potentially longer during busy periods. Even if we choose not to publish your blog post, you will get a response, explaining the reason.
- Before publication, the editor will send you a final version, giving you an opportunity to make any corrections.
- Any research related blog posts should be evidence based. With this in mind, the editor may double-check factual accuracy of certain points, or ask you for links to supporting information.
- The Centre for Digital Governance editors retain final say on whether articles are to be published, and holds the right to edit the content of articles for grammar and style purposes.
- If we publish your blog post, the Hertie School has full rights to the content, including but not limited to edit, mix, duplicate, use, or re-use it in whole or in part as it so chooses.
- Please note: Your submission will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
