Criteria for Acceptance Updated March 9, 2010 consilience (noun): The joining together of knowledge and information across

disciplines to create a unified framework of understanding. The following are guidelines for determining if a submission corresponds to the guiding vision and framework of Consilience. It is not necessary that all pieces meet all conditions; it is necessary that all pieces reflect and further contribute to the goals of the journal as stated in the Mission Statement. Accepted pieces generally conform to many of these criteria. All pieces should be examined based on their own merits, but also should be considered based on their relevance to the other pieces included, as well as to the broader discourse regarding sustainable development. All pieces should be accessible to a broad population, without sacrificing specificity or attentions to the technicalities, complexities, and details of methodology and subject matter. As such, all submitted scholarly articles should include both a scholarly abstract and a lay-person abstract. Above all, all pieces should reflect rigorous analysis, critical examination, and creative and innovative thinking. They should fundamentally contribute to a greater and unified framework of understanding regarding the field of sustainable development. All pieces should o Be an original work, an update on a previous piece, or a reprint of an article that deserves wider discussion. o Contribute in a fruitful and valuable manner to the field of sustainable development o Demonstrate creative thinking about a particular issue and its attendant challenges o Move beyond a simple restating of facts o Be accessible to a broad population interested in sustainable development and attempt to make linkages between different disciplines and areas of research and/or practice. o Be thought-provoking o Be well-written. That is, all pieces should adhere to standard grammar conventions, should be concise and clear. All pieces

should progressively develop an argument throughout the piece and should follow a comprehensible and logical structure. o Reflect the particular voice, ideas, and work of the writer o Propose solutions and remedies where appropriate; suggest further research possibilities o Offer more than one or more perspectives on a particular issue. Articles that are ideal for acceptance will be interdisciplinary by nature. Scholarly Articles should o Be grounded in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodology appropriate for the chosen discipline o Contend with (respond to, criticize, strengthen) theoretical arguments and positions already posited o Build linkages between academic disciplines related to sustainable development. o Suggest why the issues has implications for other disciplinary fields and a broader discussion of sustainable development Opinion pieces should o Present a clear argument or opinion on a timely or important issue in the field o Be provocative and also thoughtful and based in fact. o Draw support for its ideas from various fields. o Contribute something new and valuable to the ongoing discussion on the issue o Fit within the Consilience framework. The author should draw support for her ideas from more than one field. She should, if possible, offer solutions for the problems she presents. Field Notes should o Translate an individuals experience into a broader comment on sustainable development o Be rooted in an in-depth case study or ongoing field research o Include information about the organization for which an individual worked o Suggest a framework for future participation in similar activities o Ideally be accompanied by pictures and/or audio and video as available. In addition, for Issue III, all articles should propose concrete policy recommendations. As such, they should: o Communicate a current problem and comment on the challenges it presents. This section should also address why the policies that

have been proposed to solve this issue may or may not be effective. o Present one or more case studies to address a specific policy that addresses the challenges of sustainable development and affects a clearly identified segment of the population, whether a local or international community. o Recommend alternative changes to legislation, or suggest new opportunities for actor participation and policy implementation. For more information, please contact consiliencejournal@gmail.com or visit www.consiliencejournal.org. The Editorial Board of Consilience is based at Columbia University in New York City.