Reviewer and Editorial Board Requirements

The Caucasus Journal of Social Sciences relies on a rigorous and ethical peer-review process to ensure the publication of high-quality academic research. Reviewers and Editorial Board members play a key role in maintaining the scholarly standards, integrity, and international visibility of the journal.

Purpose

This policy outlines the qualifications, responsibilities, and ethical expectations for scholars who serve as reviewers or members of the Editorial Board.

Eligibility Criteria

CJSS welcomes qualified scholars and professionals whose expertise aligns with the journal’s scope in the social sciences.

Candidates are generally expected to meet the following criteria:

Academic Background

  • A PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant field.

  • In exceptional cases, experienced professionals with significant contributions to research or policy may be considered.

Research Activity

  • Active engagement in academic research or professional practice related to the journal’s subject areas.

Scholarly Publications

  • A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals or scholarly books is desirable and demonstrates engagement with current academic discourse.

Peer-Review Experience

  • Previous experience reviewing manuscripts for academic journals, conferences, or scholarly publishers is considered an advantage, though not mandatory.

Subject Expertise

  • Demonstrated expertise relevant to the thematic areas of the journal.

Commitment to Ethical Standards

  • Understanding of and commitment to responsible research and publishing practices, including issues related to plagiarism, authorship, and conflicts of interest.

International and Disciplinary Diversity

  • CJSS values diverse perspectives and encourages participation from scholars across different countries, disciplines, and academic traditions.

Additional qualities that are welcomed include:

  • Commitment to open access and responsible knowledge sharing.

  • Engagement with international academic networks.

  • Experience collaborating across disciplines or institutions.

Responsibilities

Reviewers and Editorial Board members are expected to:

  • Provide objective, constructive, and confidential reviews of submitted manuscripts.

  • Evaluate submissions based on originality, methodological quality, academic contribution, and relevance to the journal.

  • Complete reviews within the requested timeframe, typically 2–4 weeks.

  • Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding manuscripts and the peer-review process.

  • Communicate professionally with editors and authors.

Editorial Board members may also:

  • Provide guidance on the development and direction of the journal.

  • Recommend qualified reviewers.

  • Support special issues or thematic sections.

  • Promote the journal within academic and professional communities.

  • Encourage high-quality submissions from the research community.

Ethical Standards

All reviewers and editors must adhere to recognized international publishing ethics. This includes:

  • Maintaining confidentiality of submitted work.

  • Declaring conflicts of interest.

  • Providing fair, respectful, and constructive feedback.

  • Avoiding involvement in predatory publishing practices.

Failure to meet these standards may result in removal from the reviewer pool or Editorial Board.

Term of Service

Editorial Board members are typically appointed for an initial three-year term, which may be renewed based on engagement, review quality, and the needs of the journal.

Reviewer participation is evaluated based on responsiveness, quality of feedback, and adherence to deadlines.

Benefits of Participation

Serving as a reviewer or Editorial Board member provides:

  • Recognition on the journal’s website.

  • Early access to emerging research.

  • Opportunities for academic networking and collaboration.

  • Contribution to the advancement of social science research related to the Caucasus and beyond.

  • Experience in editorial processes and scholarly publishing.

Become an Editorial Board Member

Scholars who are interested in contributing to the development of the journal are welcome to apply to join the CJSS Editorial Board.

Joining the Editorial Board provides an opportunity to expand professional networks, support the research community, and gain further editorial experience. Editorial Board members play an important role in maintaining the quality, integrity, and inclusiveness of the journal.

The journal aims to support editors and reviewers by ensuring a fair, transparent, and efficient peer-review process while maintaining the highest academic standards.

Application

Scholars interested in contributing as reviewers or Editorial Board members are invited to submit:

  • A current CV

  • A short statement of expertise and research interests

to the editorial office of the Caucasus Journal of Social Sciences at: cjss_editor@ug.edu.ge

Editorial Board members may also be invited to:

  • Recommend reviewers.

  • Suggest special issues or thematic sections.

  • Invite colleagues to submit their research.

  • Promote the journal within their academic networks.