The INFORMAL: South Asian Journal of Human Rights and Social Justice

Volume 4 | Submission Deadline: 31 December 2026

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite original contributions for the fourth volume of The INFORMAL: South Asian Journal of Human Rights and Social Justice, published by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The INFORMAL is a flagship publication of INSEC, one of Nepal’s most established human rights institutions and a long-standing member of regional human rights networks. Drawing on more than three decades of engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights, the journal provides a critical platform for scholarship, dialogue, and informed debate on human rights and social justice across South Asia.

First launched in April 1998, The INFORMAL has, through its 34 previous editions, served as a platform for public discourse on human rights challenges in Nepal. Past publications have addressed a wide range of contemporary issues, including group rights, peace and conflict, the rule of law, access to justice, governance, and institutional reform.

In 2024, The INFORMAL evolved into an annual, peer-reviewed journal with an expanded regional focus on South Asia. Since then, three volumes have been published, featuring scholarships on democratic integrity, governance reform, social and cultural transformation, and evolving human rights norms and practices.

For Volume 4, we welcome original contributions that are empirically grounded, analytically rigorous, critically engaged, and accessible to both academic and practitioner audiences. The journal seeks not only to disseminate research but also to promote regional dialogue and strengthen connections among scholarship, activism, policy, and practice.

Submissions are encouraged by academics, researchers, legal and human rights practitioners, policymakers, students, civil society actors, and community leaders.

About the Journal

The INFORMAL: South Asian Journal of Human Rights and Social Justice is an annual, peer-reviewed, open-access research journal dedicated to advancing knowledge and critical dialogue on human rights and social justice from South Asian perspectives.

The journal publishes original and interdisciplinary research that engages with contemporary human rights challenges, legal and institutional developments, social justice concerns, and emerging debates across the region.

Vision

The journal aspires to become a leading regional and international platform for high-quality research and critical scholarship on human rights and social justice, recognized for its academic excellence, innovative perspectives, and contribution to policy, practice, civil society, and public discourse.

Mission

The journal seeks to foster an inclusive platform through which scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, activists, and community actors can engage in informed, critical, and respectful dialogue on civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and collective rights across South Asia.

Scope and Areas of Interest

The journal welcomes interdisciplinary contributions on human rights and social justice, including, but not limited to:

  • Human rights law, policy, and practice
  • Constitutionalism, democracy, and democratic governance
  • Rule of law, judicial reform, and access to justice
  • Peacebuilding, conflict, transitional justice, and reconciliation
  • Gender equality and women’s rights
  • Rights of marginalized and historically excluded communities
  • Disability rights and inclusive development
  • Children’s rights and youth participation
  • Economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights
  • Migration, citizenship, displacement, and statelessness
  • Digital rights, technology, and human rights
  • Human rights institutions, accountability, and governance reform
  • Social movements, civic space, and human rights advocacy
  • Emerging human rights challenges in South Asia

Article Submission Guidelines

Submission Format

Manuscripts must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format.

Length

Full-length articles should normally be between 6,000 and 8,000 words, including references, tables, figures, and endnotes, where applicable.

Language

Manuscripts must be submitted in clear and academically appropriate English.

Referencing Style

Authors must follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), Seventh Edition. In-text citations and reference lists should be prepared consistently in accordance with APA 7th edition guidelines.

Originality

Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all information, references, citations, and permissions related to their submissions.

Author Information

Author details should be provided on a separate title page and should include:

  • Author information should be provided on a separate title page and should include: Full name(s) of the author(s)
  • ORCID iD(s), where available. Authors who do not yet have an ORCID iD may register for one through ORCID.
  • Current position or professional designation
  • Institutional or organizational affiliation(s)
  • Email address of the corresponding author
  • Institutional or professional address, where applicable
  • A brief biographical note of approximately 50 words for each author

Recommended Article Structure

Articles should be organized in a manner appropriate to their research design, methodology, and disciplinary approach. As a general guide, manuscripts may include the following components:

Title

The title should be concise, accurate, and clearly reflect the central focus of the manuscript. It should normally not exceed 15 words.

Abstract

The abstract should not exceed 250 words and should briefly present the research problem, central argument or objective, methodology or analytical approach, key findings, and principal contribution of the article.

Keywords

Authors should provide five keywords or short phrases that reflect the principal themes and concepts addressed in the manuscript.

Introduction

The introduction should establish the context and significance of the study, identify the research problem or central question, and clearly state the article’s objectives, argument, or thesis.

Literature Review and/or Conceptual Framework

Where relevant, the article should engage with existing scholarships and explain the theoretical, conceptual, legal, or analytical framework guiding the study.

Methodology

The methodology section should describe the research design, sources of information, methods of data collection and analysis, and relevant ethical considerations. For doctrinal or legal research, authors should explain the legal and analytical approach adopted.

Findings, Analysis, and Discussion

This section should present and critically analyze the research findings or arguments and discuss their implications in relation to existing scholarship, law, policy, and practice.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The conclusion should summarize the principal findings or arguments, highlight the article’s contribution, and, where appropriate, provide recommendations for law, policy, institutional reform, research, or practice.

References

All sources cited in the manuscript must be included in a complete and consistently formatted reference list in accordance with APA Seventh Edition.

Peer-Review Process

  • All submissions will undergo an initial editorial assessment to determine their relevance to the journal’s scope, originality, academic quality, and compliance with the submission guidelines. Manuscripts that meet the initial requirements will be subject to peer review.
  • Authors may be requested to revise their manuscripts in response to editorial and peer-review comments. Acceptance for publication will be based on the quality, originality, relevance, methodological or analytical rigor, and contribution of the manuscript.

Editorial and Publication Information

  • The editorial process will be led by the Editor-in-Chief and supported by a designated INSEC staff member serving as the journal’s focal point. The process will be guided by clearly defined Terms of Reference and formal editorial and operational procedures to ensure an efficient, transparent, and timely workflow.
  • No submission, peer-review, or publication fees will be charged to authors. INSEC will mobilize resources to provide an appropriate honorarium for selected research contributions, subject to the journal’s approved policies and the availability of resources.
  • The core operational and publication costs of The INFORMAL will be supported through an endowment fund established by INSEC specifically for the journal.

Submission Deadline: 31 December 2026

Submission and Enquiries

Manuscripts and related enquiries should be submitted to: informal.hrsjournal@insec.org.np

Subject line: Submission for The INFORMAL, Volume 4 – [Author’s Surname]

For current and previous volumes: https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/informal/issue/archive