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About the Journal

Aims & Scope

Infectious Disease Policy Journal (IDPJ) is an interdisciplinary, open-access online journal dedicated to examining the policy, social, and structural dimensions of infectious diseases across the globe. IDPJ aims to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice—connecting the voices of scientists, health workers, policymakers, civil society, and the public.

We analyze how political, economic, cultural, and environmental systems shape the prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases, with a strong focus on public engagement and equity. IDPJ is especially committed to amplifying perspectives from underrepresented communities, including those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and to fostering inclusive, community-driven discourse in global health.

Key Topic Areas Include:​​​

  • Behavioural science and public health communication
  • Equity in access to healthcare, vaccines, and diagnostics
  • Citizen science and participatory research
  • Social and economic impacts of infectious diseases
  • One Health and environmental policy intersections
  • Community engagement and public trust in health systems
  • Policy effectiveness, governance, and accountability
  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) governance and interventions

Target Audience

IDPJ invites contributions from and aims to serve a diverse global readership that includes:

  • Public health researchers and social scientists

  • Policymakers, advisors, and health decision-makers

  • International organizations (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, FAO)

  • Local and national governmental agencies

  • Healthcare professionals and public health practitioners

  • Non-governmental and community-based organizations

  • Citizen scientists and community leaders

  • Civil society actors and health advocates

  • Students and early-career professionals

  • Members of the general public interested in global health policy

Types of Articles Published

IDPJ uses a modular publishing model, which includes rolling publication and thematic groupings such as chapters and curated collections. We welcome a broad range of submission types, tailored to serve researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society actors. Submissions are classified into two main categories based on the nature of the content and the review process: peer-reviewed articles and editorially reviewed articles.

Peer-Reviewed Articles (Double-Blind Review)

  • Research Articles (up to 5,000 words)

    • Comprehensive original studies grounded in empirical or qualitative research. These may include health systems research, policy analysis, implementation studies, citizen science results, or evaluations of infectious disease interventions.​

  • Review Articles (up to 5,000 words)

    • Systematic, scoping, or narrative reviews synthesizing current knowledge in infectious disease policy. May include meta-analyses or comparative policy frameworks.

  • Brief Reports (up to 2,000 words)

    • Concise, focused presentations of preliminary findings, innovations, or early-stage research results. Ideal for rapid dissemination of novel insights.

  • Case Studies (up to 2,000 words)

    • Real-world analyses of specific interventions, governance models, or community-led responses to infectious disease challenges. Must include lessons learned and relevance to broader policy contexts.

  • Policy Briefs (up to 1,500 words)

    • Short, practical summaries of evidence designed to inform decision-makers. Includes context, analysis, and clear, actionable policy recommendations.

Editorially Reviewed Articles (Internal Review)​​

  • Commentaries & Perspectives (up to 1,000 words)

    • Thought-provoking reflections on policy trends, ethical challenges, field experiences, or emerging issues in global health. Open to diverse voices, including civil society leaders and frontline practitioners.

  • Comments (up to 1,000 words)

    • Responses to articles published in IDPJ. These foster scholarly discussion and critical engagement. Article Processing Charges (APCs) are waived for accepted comments.

  • Editorials (up to 3,000 words)

    • Commissioned pieces authored by the Editorial Team or invited experts. These may introduce special issues, highlight current global health events, or reflect on strategic directions in infectious disease policy.

  • Position Papers (up to 3,000 words)

    • Authoritative statements developed by coalitions, institutions, or expert groups that present a clear stance on a policy issue, supported by evidence and rationale. Position papers should aim to influence policy or advocacy agendas and must include author or organizational disclosures. May be invited or submitted for editorial consideration.

    • Note: Position Papers are editorially reviewed and not peer-reviewed unless co-submitted as part of a joint issue or evidence dossier.

  • ​Conference Abstracts (up to 500 words)

    • Summaries of research, policy initiatives, or implementation experiences presented at Infectious Disease Alliance (IDA)-affiliated events. Abstracts should concisely describe the objectives, methods, key findings, and policy relevance of the work. Selected abstracts from IDA events may be published as part of a special conference collection or supplementary issue of IDPJ, subject to editorial review for clarity, quality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

All submissions must follow IDPJ’s author and ethics guidelines. The Editorial Board reserves the right to consider exceptional contributions that do not fall precisely within the defined categories.

Editorial, Peer Review, and Publication Process

IDPJ upholds a transparent and rigorous editorial process to maintain quality and trust. All submissions are screened for fit and originality, and research-based content undergoes double-blind peer review managed by Associate Editors and the Editor-in-Chief. Other contributions are reviewed by the editorial team for content integrity and alignment with the journal's values.

​Authors are notified at each stage and provided clear guidance for revisions. Plagiarism checks and ethical declarations are required upon submission.

​IDPJ operates under a modular publishing model that supports rolling publication and thematic organization:

  • Rolling Publication: Articles are published online immediately after acceptance.

  • Thematic Chapters: Ongoing collections of articles grouped by topic (e.g., One Health, AMR).

  • Curated Collections: Partner- or event-driven series of articles presented on a dedicated landing page, often with branding, introductory summaries, or thematic framing.

This model enhances speed, discoverability, and impact, and allows the journal to respond flexibly to emerging issues and partnerships.

IDPJ undergoes an annual strategic review to ensure sustainability, accessibility, and continuous improvement in publishing standards and affordability.

Submission Process and Guidelines

Submissions are accepted through our secure online system. The editorial team is in contact with the corresponding author regarding the status of the submitted manuscripts.​​​

Authors have to review the Author Submission Guidelines and Ethical Authorship Guidelines  before submitting their manuscripts via IDPJ submission form. 

Access, Indexing, and Archiving

IDPJ operates under an open-access publishing model, ensuring all content is freely accessible to readers worldwide. 

Each article will be assigned a DOI and formatted for professional archiving and citation.

Get Involved

We encourage submissions and collaborations from across disciplines and geographies. If you are interested in publishing, peer-reviewing, or engaging with the journal, please contact our team.