Submissions

Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by an editor to determine whether they meet the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected.

Before making a submission, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to publish any material included with the submission, such as photos, documents and datasets. All authors identified on the submission must consent to be identified as an author. Where appropriate, research should be approved by an appropriate ethics committee in accordance with the legal requirements of the study's country.

An editor may reject a submission if it does not meet minimum standards of quality. Before submitting, please ensure that the study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly. The title should be concise and the abstract should be able to stand on its own. This will increase the likelihood of reviewers agreeing to review the paper. When you're satisfied that your submission meets this standard, please follow the checklist below to prepare your submission.

Download the Author Guidelines. 

Utambuzi is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to advancing scholarship on the study of religions in Africa and its diasporas. We welcome original, high-quality contributions that explore religious beliefs, practices, histories, and influences from various (inter)disciplinary perspectives.
Utambuzi is published open access with the support of the African Association for the Study of Religions. Authors will not be charged a processing fee for publication in the journal, but are encouraged to join the Association and help us make the journal financially viable.

General Submission Guidelines
1. Scope: Manuscripts should align with the journal's focus on religions of Africa and its diasporas. Discipline-specific and interdisciplinary articles are encouraged.
2. Originality: Submissions must be original, unpublished work not under review elsewhere.
3. Language: Submissions should be written in Oxford English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to seek professional editing services before submission.

Types and length of Contributions
1. Research Articles: Comprehensive studies that contribute new knowledge or interpretations (6,000–8,000 words, including references).
2. Review Essays: Analytical discussions of recent publications or major developments in the field (3,000–5,000 words).
3. Book and Film Reviews: Critical evaluations of recently published books (800–1,500 words).

Formatting and Style
1. Manuscript Preparation:
o Use Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or a compatible file format.
o Double-spacing and 12-point Times New Roman font throughout the document.
o Include page numbers in the bottom-right corner.
2. Title Page:
o Title of the manuscript (no more than 15 words).
o Author(s) name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information.
o Acknowledgement of funding sources or sponsors, if applicable.
3. Abstract and Keywords:
o Provide an abstract of 150–200 words stating the study’s methods, findings, and significance.
o Include 4–6 keywords reflecting the main topics of the manuscript.
4. References:
o Use the Chicago Manual of Style (author-date system, see instructions here: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-2.html). Ensure that all in-text citations have corresponding entries in the reference list, and all items in the reference list are cited in the text.
5. Figures, Tables, and Illustrations:
o Include these in the main manuscript file, numbered sequentially.
o Provide high-resolution images in a separate file if applicable.
o Include descriptive captions and credit sources where appropriate.
o Secure relevant copyright permissions where appropriate, and provide this to the journal editor.
6. Headings:
o Use a clear and consistent hierarchy of headings (e.g., bold for primary headings, italics for secondary).

Submission Process
1. Online Submission: Submit manuscripts via the journal’s online submission portal: https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ujsrad/about/submissions
2. Peer Review:
o All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process, meaning that the names of the author(s) and the reviewer(s) are not shared.
o Please, remove identifying information from the manuscript before submission.
3. Response Time: We aim to provide authors with initial feedback within 10 weeks.

Ethical Considerations
1. Plagiarism: Manuscripts must be free of plagiarism.
2. Research Ethics: Studies involving human participants must adhere to ethical research standards, including obtaining informed consent.
3. Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Post-Acceptance
1. Copyright: Upon acceptance, authors will be required to sign a copyright agreement granting Utambuzi the right to publish. Authors retain rights to their work for non-commercial use.
2. Proofs: Authors will receive page proofs for review before publication.
Please note: All articles published in Utambuzi are licensed under a Creative Commons (CC) license, allowing for free distribution and reuse with appropriate attribution to the original authors.

Contact Information
For inquiries, please contact the editorial team here: https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ujsrad/about/editorialTeam

Or the Managing Editor: managingeditor.utambuzi@protonmail.com

Website: https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/ujsrad/index

We look forward to your contributions to Utambuzi. Thank you for advancing the study of religions in Africa and its diasporas.