ACResolution Magazine

Overview and Submissions Information

With a quarterly circulation of 6,000, ACResolution magazine offers quality writing, timely content, and thoughtful observations on the broad spectrum of practice areas in the field of conflict resolution. It is written in “magazine style language” (i.e., no footnotes or endnotes) for individuals at all levels of conflict resolution experience, including novices and those who are interested in learning about the field. ACResolution is a forum for exploring a broad range of conflict resolution issues and for introducing and discussing “theory into practice” philosophies.

Each 48-page issue contains 2 or 3 major feature articles (of up to 2,700 words) and 2 or 3 minor feature articles (approximately 1,300 words), as well as several regular departments. Feature articles are organized around a central theme that varies for each issue. The magazine’s editorial goals are to support the learning and professional development needs of conflict resolvers; educate the general public about the value of conflict resolution; and advance its successful use in all areas of modern life. As conflict resolvers learn from new challenges, encounter unique situations, and synthesize best practices, the magazine will capture and disseminate their collective knowledge and accrued wisdom to its readers.

The editors actively seek magazine contributions from mediators, researchers, educators, and other practitioners who are well versed in existing conflict resolution theory and practice, and/or willing to break new ground by sharing innovative techniques and practices. We seek a diversity of authors and topics and welcome abstracts for articles and ideas for future themes. For more information, please contact ACR Publications at 202-464-9700, ext. 201, or via e-mail at publications@ACRnet.org.

Suggesting a Theme for ACResolution

Before choosing a theme, the magazine’s editors solicit input from members and outline the kinds of topics that could be covered. They make initial inquiries to see if they can find skilled writers who are willing and able to submit substantive feature articles on these topics. Several themes are considered and the final decision is made by the editors. Themes must be related to the central mission of ACR, i.e., enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution. Under this broad umbrella, the magazine explores related issues. For example, ACR is a not peace organization and our mission is not disarmament. However, we are interested in ways to resolve international issues in a peaceful manner. Please send us any theme suggestions you may have.

Submission Categories

Previously published articles in any medium (including online publications) will not be considered except in extraordinary circumstances. Articles submitted to ACResolution cannot under any circumstances be simultaneously submitted to other publications in any medium (including online publications). Keep in mind that initial planning for each issue of the magazine begins at least six months prior to publication, and at least three issues are in development at any one time. Send queries, story outlines, research abstracts, or other relevant materials to ACR Publications at publications@ACRnet.org. Article submission does not guarantee publication. ACR reserves the right to reject a submission for any reason.

Proposals for feature articles will be judged on the basis of both substance and style. ACResolution requests a story outline or an abstract (150–300 words) prior to the submission of the complete feature article. Please do not submit unsolicited full length feature articles. Contributions to all other departments of the magazine may be submitted in their entirety, though we still prefer to receive abstracts. Regular departments include Balancing Act, Member Milestones, Learning Matters, Diversity Practices, Up Close, World Views on ADR, Periscope, Perspectives on Practice, Book Reviews, and Conference Calendar.

Balancing Act is a one-page department focusing on members who are committed to developing themselves as whole persons, both inside and outside the workplace. Articles of 500 to 600 words and photos should highlight an after-hours activity or hobby that enables you to feel centered and grounded outside of your busy life as an ADR professional. Please tell us about how this activity or hobby revitalizes you, helps you achieve balance in your personal life, feeds your intellect, and nurtures your soul. If you would like to present an idea for Balancing Act, please send us a short paragraph describing your hobby. If selected, we will then ask you to write a full page.

Member Milestones, a subsection of the magazine’s In Brief department, is the place for you to update your fellow ACR members on recent developments in your professional career. Found an exciting new job in the field? Appointed to a new position? Received an award? Write and tell us about it! Submissions should be no longer than 50–100 words, should be accompanied by a photo in JPEG or TIFF format, scanned at 300 dpi (you may send a photo hard copy if an electronic version is not available), and should note your ACR membership status and history. Please note that we can only include news about you once per volume (4 issues).

The Learning Matters department features short articles that discuss various aspects of conflict resolution education in schools, colleges, and other environments. If you have an experience to share, please let us know.

Diversity Practices: This column highlights innovative, practical strategies for training conflict resolution professionals in specific cross-cultural and diversity skills; describes model approaches to resolving complex disputes in various U.S. subcultures and abroad; and presents case studies of programs and interventions in the field of diversity and conflict resolution.

Up Close: This department is a first-person account describing some aspect of conflict resolution practice. It is the place to offer personal opinions or take positions on issues, and can be written in a less formal style than other articles in the magazine.

World Views on ADR: This department features articles on conflict resolution in other countries, or efforts to promote international conflict resolution between countries or warring groups. Articles for this department are usually written by conflict resolution practitioners who live and work outside the United States. U.S. residents who have performed training or consultation in other countries are also encouraged to submit articles for this department.

Periscope: This department accepts short articles on any topic and provides authors with a forum to discuss issues that are not related to the theme of the magazine.

Perspectives on Practice: This department features articles that discuss various aspects of the practice of conflict resolution.

Book Reviews: ACResolution routinely includes reviews of newly published books that cover various topics in the ADR field. Book reviews should provide an overview of the book along with some discussion of what you found particularly interesting or useful. A good review will comment on the book’s utility for both experts and those just entering the field. Length should be approximately 500 words, and if possible, please provide an image of the book’s cover (minimum 300 dpi). If you would like to write a book review, please send a note to publications@ACRnet.org with the title, author, publisher, publication date and why you think this is an important book for ACR readers.

ACR’s Conference Calendar is a free listing of professional conferences of interest to the alternative dispute resolution field/community. Please note that we cannot post announcements of training programs or workshops offered by for-profit organizations. Only bona-fide conferences, with concurrent workshops and multiple presenters, will qualify for the listing. Learning opportunities that are offered free of charge can also be listed here.

Editorial Correction to Summer 2004 Magazine:

The editors regret printing an inaccurate version of The Four Options Model on page 34 of the summer issue. Please click here download Ron Claassen's article with the correct Four Options Model.

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