Student Resources

Questions?

  • The Public Purpose
    publicpurpose@american.edu

    Max Luken
    Editor-in-Chief

Mailing Address

The Public Purpose

The Interdisciplinary Journal of American University’s School of Public Affairs

The Public Purpose is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal presenting the work of graduate students from the SPA Departments of Government; Justice, Law, and Society; and Public Administration and Policy. Founded in 2003, The Public Purpose is supported by the SPA Graduate Council, with involvement and guidance of SPA faculty.


Spring 2013, Volume XI

Public Purpose Launch 2013

Working on The Public Purpose

There are many ways to become a part of The Public Purpose:

  • Editorial Board -- Content editors, managing editors, and web/print editors are needed.
  • Peer Reviewers -- Students from all areas of study are needed to evaluate articles, requiring a short time commitment in early spring.
  • Authors -- All SPA graduate students are eligible to submit articles for publication.

Call for Papers

The Public Purpose is seeking original, unpublished student articles on a wide range of topics affecting public policy and public affairs. The Public Purpose also welcomes non-research submissions of shorter length, such as book reviews on relevant public administration and/or policy issues. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, but authors wishing to be published in the Spring 2013 edition should expect a December 2012 deadline, with the exact date to be announced in fall.


Submission Guidelines

All submissions must be submitted in Chicago style, using "notes-bibliography" type footnote citations. Submissions that do not follow Chicago style will automatically be rejected.  All submissions must include an abstract of no more than 300 words. We prefer that you submit your article by email to Max Luken, Editor-in-Chief, at the email address: publicpurpose@american.edu. Papers will be subject to a peer review process.