Write with ARI

This page is intended for authors interested in submitting a topic proposal to ARI's editorial team. Below, you will find what we are interested in, the pitch submission form, and an overview of our review process.

Writing for the Arab Reform Initiative

What we're interested in

ARI welcomes submissions that offer rigorous, policy-relevant analysis on issues related to inclusive democracy, full and equal citizenship, social justice, environmental justice, and the intersection of technology and society across the MENA region. Submissions may focus on specific countries, cross-country comparisons, or regional dynamics across the MENA region.

We particularly privilege pitches that:

  • Present original empirical insights or grounded perspectives
  • Situate local developments within broader regional or global debates
  • Demonstrate clear analytical framing and engage with policy-relevant questions

The Review Process

ARI's Editorial Board convenes weekly to review submitted pitches. Each proposal is assessed based on its analytical contribution, relevance, and alignment with ARI's areas of focus. For accepted pitches, our editorial team will work closely with authors to further develop the structure and content of the proposed piece. Progression to publication is contingent on the successful development and final approval of the manuscript.

To pitch, please:

Complete the pitching form Tell us about your proposed topic and approach.

You can find detailed guidelines about writing a Bawader/commentary for ARI here.

Writing a Bawader/Commentary

Review our detailed guidelines on structure, style, citations, and ethical standards to help you prepare a strong submission.

Read the guidelines

Have a question?

If you're unsure whether your idea fits our scope, or have any questions about the process, we're here to help.

Contact us

This page is intended for authors who wish to reach out to us with a topic proposition. Below you will find the topics we are currently interested in receiving pitches for, the pitch form itself, a brief overview of the review process, and the email which you can send your pitch form to.

What we’re interested in

ARI is interested in papers that propose analytical studies relating to inclusive democracy, full and equal citizenship, social justice, environmental justice, and the intersection of tech and society in MENA. We are particularly interested in pitches on the following countries/themes:

We are particularly interested in papers addressing themes such as:

  • Political transitions, governance, and state-society relations
  • Democracy, citizenship, and inclusive political participation
  • Security, conflicts, and regional geopolitical dynamics
  • Economic transformation, inequality, and social protection
  • Civic space, social movements, and grassroots mobilization
  • Environmental politics, climate change, and resource governance
  • Urban governance, housing, and spatial inequality
  • Technology, digital governance, and the socioeconomic impact of AI
  • Public policy reform and institutional transformation

Submissions may focus on specific countries, cross-country comparisons, or regional dynamics across the MENA region. 

We particularly encourage pitches that:

  • Bring new empirical insights or perspectives from the ground
  • Connect local developments to regional or global debates
  • Offer clear analytical framing and policy-relevant reflections

The Review Process

ARI’s Editorial Board meets twice a month. Your pitch will be discussed during these meetings and we will decide if we would like to move forward with your article or not. We will endeavour to reply to all pitches, but please note that if you have not heard back from us 3 weeks after the date of your submission, it means that the pitch has not been accepted.

If your pitch is accepted, we will engage with you on the structure and content in order to develop the pitch and the paper. Pitches that progress to the state of publication, where the article is accepted for publishing.

To pitch, please:

Complete the pitching form (word doc.x) à HYPERLINK

Send it through to publications@arab-reform.net

You can find detailed guidelines about writing a Bawader/commentary for ARI here.