Editorial Policy and Author Guidelines
This document tells the story behind The Insighta, outlines our priorities and expectations, and provides authors with clear, step-by-step guidance for preparing their submissions.
Dear Prospective Authors,
Greetings from The Insighta! We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the state of media today—and how you can make a difference. Mainstream media across the world seems more politicized and polarized. While the media is often seen as the enabler of democracy, we now see that the very media distorts realities, deflects truth, and ultimately bypasses public interest. Hence, frustration with the media is growing. People question even its ability to serve democracy.
At The Insighta, we still believe in the media as a dynamic vehicle for informed public discourse. We see it as a platform that can advance public understanding, shape collective will, and amplify marginalized voices. Born from this conviction, The Insighta is an alternative media platform committed to public scholarship, founded by a collective of academics, former journalists, and engaged citizens. We aim to empower voices unheard, stories untold, and ideas unspoken.
Our editorial mission is rooted in the values of freedom, dignity, and justice. We do not merely speak of rights—we also speak of responsibilities. We uphold pro-people and pro-justice perspective to challenge authoritarianism and oppression, combat misinformation and disinformation, and confront prejudice and discrimination. Our ultimate goal is to foster positive change.
We welcome contributions from academics, journalists, practitioners, policymakers, artists, and activists who rely on facts and evidence and attempt to make thoughtful analysis and compelling arguments. We are particularly interested in work that explores the socio-political, economic, and cultural issues affecting the South Asian region, particularly Bangladesh and the broader Bangladeshi diaspora.
Whether you want to expose an injustice, challenge a dominant narrative, spotlight a best practice or success story, The Insighta is here to offer you space. Just do it! If our vision resonates with you, if you believe in the power of words to create meaningful change, we invite you to please join us in advancing public intellectualism, meaningful dialogue, and engaged citizenship.
Sincerely,
The Insighta Team
AUTHOR GUIDELINES FOR THE INSIGHTA
Thank you for your interest in contributing to The Insighta, a platform for public scholarship rooted in justice, dignity, and people-first perspectives. These guidelines are designed to help you prepare impactful, accessible, and well-structured articles for publication.
FOCUS AND FIT
Aligned with our editorial policy as stated above, we welcome insightful and original articles that inform, critique, and inspire action on issues affecting South Asia, particularly Bangladesh and the global Bangladeshi diaspora. The areas for the topics are open. We publish any topic that shows significance. Your topic may include, but is not limited to:
Politics and governance (e.g., democracy, public administration, activism, resistance)
Media and technology (e.g., misinformation, representation, social implications)
Culture and Identity
Education
Economy, Business, and Labor
Environment and Climate
Public Health
Diaspora Affairs
Global Affairs impacting South Asia
Your article should:
Offer a clear central message, idea, or thesis (What are you trying to say establish?).
Blend accurate facts and credible evidence with critical analysis.
Avoid jargon and remain accessible to general readers. (This is not an academic piece, but perhaps one written with academic rigor and journalistic flair).
Leave readers with important insights, hope, or pathways for action- ask what your readers will take away from reading your article–why should they care?).
WRITING STYLE AND STRUCTURE
Language: We prefer submissions in English but also accept in Bangla.
Tone and Audience:
Write for a broad, curious readership. Avoid academic jargon and acronyms without explanation. Put yourself in the shoes of mass audience and ask if your writing makes sense for them–is it easy to follow?
Maintain a professional, respectful, and insightful tone. Know that it is not simply journalistic reporting or an op-ed piece with empty words.
Use clear, concise sentences in an active voice. Avoid repetition and redundancy.
Structure: The following is a suggested structure to organize your writeup.
Title: Write a catchy and precise title (within 15 words). Avoid giving a judgement in the title. Also, note that this is not a title for an academic paper. We might modify your title.
Introduction: You have full freedom to start your article in whatever way it fits. You may start with a hook to get readers’ attention and then state your main point or argument.
Main Body:
Use clear subheadings if needed. Avoid using colon-separated two-part subheadings.
Each paragraph or section should serve as a supporting detail that advances your central thesis, message, or argument.
Ensure you mix accurate facts, appropriate evidence, and relevant examples with your analysis and arguments. Use hyperlinks for external materials.
Feel free to briefly acknowledge and address counterarguments, because they enhance the credibility and power of your point and argument.
Conclusion:
Reinforce your key insights and remind readers of your central message.
Offer reflections, a call to action, or policy recommendations.
Avoid introducing new perspectives in your conclusion.
Note: Avoid repetition. Group similar facts together and synthesize rather than list. Also, you may not use the exact wording of section names such as Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion. They are suggested for conceptual organization and outlining of your article.
Length and Formatting
Word Count: 750–1,250 words. (For larger articles, get prior approval.)
File Format: Submit in .doc or .docx. (no PDF file is acceptable).
Font: Times New Roman, 12-point, standard spacing. For Bangla content, we prefer you to type the text in Unicode rather than Bijoy, unless you do not have a choice.
File Name: Use this format: Date_Topic_FirstName (e.g., Jul16_WaterDiplomacy_Anika)
Required Submission Format:
Include a title page with the following information in a single file.
Title/Cover Page
Title: The title of your write-up boldfaced and centered alignment.
Summary/Trigger: Write a trigger or summary of your write within 200 characters, in the same language as your original writeup.
Alternate Language Trigger: Now, write a trigger inviting audience to read your article in 35–50 words in Bengali, if your main writeup is in English, or in English if your original writeup is in Bengali.
Keywords: 3–6 terms for search engine optimization or SEO (e.g., “climate justice,” “diaspora”)
Author Bio: Please include a 2–3 sentence bio of yourself, highlighting who you are, your role, expertise, affiliations, etc.
Contact Info: Email address and mobile number (for internal use only).
Main Content
Main Content: Place your main content on the next page. Include the title as well.
Hyperlinks: When citing external sources—such as news articles, reports, or research findings—please hyperlink the relevant portion of the text directly within the article. This allows readers to verify information and engage with your sources.
References: If hyperlinking is not possible (e.g., for offline or hard-copy sources), please include a reference list at the end of the article.
Editorial and Ethical Standards
Originality: All submissions must be original and unpublished elsewhere.
Fact-checking: Use reliable data and sources. Avoid unverifiable claims.
Respectful Expression: Avoid discriminatory, offensive, or inflammatory language.
Revisions: Authors may be asked to revise based on editorial feedback for clarity, coherence, and policy alignment.
Responsible & Ethical Use of AI:
The Insighta acknowledges the potential of generative AI as a tool for research support, refining language and enhancing clarity. Authors are welcome to use AI for phrasing, structure, or locating references—provided the ideas, arguments, and narrative remain entirely their own. We value originality and believe human creativity is irreplaceable. Submissions that rely heavily on AI-generated content without meaningful author input dilute the integrity of public scholarship and will not be accepted. Let AI support your expression, not replace your voice. Each piece should reflect your unique thinking, perspective, and authorship.
Sample Insighta Articles for Reference
Review and Publication Timeline
A preliminary editorial decision is typically provided within 2-3 business days.
All submissions go through a review and editing process, which typically takes another 3-4 business days.
Once an article is reviewed, edited, and proofread, it is ready for publication. However, the publication date varies. Generally, 1–2 weeks for time-sensitive or opinion pieces and up to 3 weeks for more analytical or long-form submissions.
Want to Stand Out?
Think like a public storyteller: frame issues clearly and draw in readers with insight. Use global best practices or success stories to make your arguments stronger and contextualize them to make it locally relevant. End with a powerful reflection or actionable idea.
Final Thought
Publishing with The Insighta is not just about writing—it’s about joining a movement for critical thinking, inclusive dialogue, and positive change. With consistent contributions, authors can build public visibility and explore broader engagement through media, events, or future book projects. We look forward to reading your voice.
The Insighta Editorial Team
Impressive. Best wishes!