Become an author

ICYou invites you to support the journal and welcomes submissions from all audiences who have an interest in British policing.

Whether you’re an academic at a university, a serving or retired police officer or staff member, student officer on any of the accredited entry routes into policing or a member of a police and community network, ICYou would like to hear from you.

All submissions should be sent to our dedicated ICYou mailbox: ICYou@staffs.ac.uk

Publishing Guidelines

Academics and Pracademics

Submissions invited from individuals who wish to present an academic perspective.

Authors may be:

  • Academics – established academics or early career researchers
  • Police personnel (serving or retired)
  • Members of community groups/networks
  • Independent research organisations/think tanks.

The standard expected for submission to this category is that of academic excellence. Submissions must be well researched, well referenced and critically argued. All submissions will be peer reviewed by academics from the ICYou editorial board.

Word count:

6000 to 9000 words. 9000-word maximum limit

Referencing style:

Harvard, APA, Chicago. Consistency in one style throughout a submission is required.

Formatting:

Word document, double line spaced, Arial or Times New Roman, minimum font size 11.

Police Practitioners

Submissions invited from individuals who are from the policing sector.

Authors may be:

  • Policing personnel (operational or otherwise, serving or retired)
  • Immediate line management or (senior) leadership
  • Police associated organisations, for example the National Police Chiefs Council, College of Policing, Independent Office for Police Conduct, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies.
  • Recent recruits to, or graduates from, the accredited entry routes into policing; for example, the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) or Degree Holder Entry Programmes (DC/DHEP).

Submissions must be well researched, well referenced and critically argued. Submissions will be peer reviewed by members from the ICYou editorial board.

Word count:

1500 to 3000 words. 3000-word maximum limit

Referencing style:

Consistency in one style throughout a submission is required. Footnote referencing is accepted. 

Formatting:

Word document, double line spaced, Arial or Times New Roman, minimum font size 11.

Partners

Submissions invited from individuals who engage or partner with the police service. Authors may be:

  • Community leaders, activists or groups
  • Partner organisations, for example, MIND, Shelter, CRISIS etc.
  • Advisory or regulatory bodies, for example, College of Policing, IOPC, HMICFRS etc.

Submissions must be well structured, argued and referenced where required. Submissions will be peer reviewed by members from the ICYou editorial board.

Word count:

750 to 1500 words. 1500-word maximum limit

Referencing style:

Consistency in one style throughout a submission is required. Footnote referencing is accepted.

Formatting: 

Word document, double line spaced, Arial or Times New Roman, minimum font size 11.

Please note that the headings in this guidance are illustrative, not exclusive. Individuals from any of the categories can submit their papers to the category they are best aligned with. Partner and Police Practitioner authors are more than welcome to submit to the Academic/Pracademic category and vice versa.

Contact us: If you have questions or queries about ICYou, please email ICYou@staffs.ac.uk

We thoroughly hope you enjoy engaging with this journal and look forward to your continued support.