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Paper Submission Guidelines

Paper Submission

  • Once accepted, check the deadline on the website for submitting the first draft version of presenter papers.
  • All deadlines are to be strictly adhered to; non-compliance may lead to forfeiture of participation.
  • The first draft paper should be complete, meeting the length criteria (6500-7500 words).
  • Amendments can be made before submitting the final version, especially to incorporate feedback received during the workshop meeting.
  • The draft paper should be submitted to workshop Chairs and uploaded to the presenters' GSS account when ready.
  • By submitting the paper, you agree to academic integrity. All papers will be checked on turnitin.com and AI verification apps.

Submission Standards

  • All papers must be submitted in English using a Word Document format.
  • Paper length should be between 6500 and 7500 words, including tables, graphs, footnotes, and references.
  • Presenters may submit papers longer than 7500 words in coordination with Workshop Chairs.
  • Author biographical notes should not exceed 250 words.
  • Maintain double-line spacing.
  • Use Times New Roman 12-point font for text.
  • Agree with Workshop Chairs on the type of citations conduce to publication goal.
  • Clearly indicate main, section, and subsection headlines with different font sizes or italics as necessary.
  • Graphs and tables can be included within the text or grouped at the paper's end (specify placement in the text).
  • Do not include headers, footers, or page numbers, except for centered page numbering at the bottom.
  • Avoid using pictures.
  • Maintain justified alignment (left and right).
  • Choose appropriate keywords to describe the paper.
  • Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and will result in disqualification from GSS participation.
  • Acceptance of an abstract proposal does not guarantee participation as a paper presenter.
  • Presenters must ensure all papers presented at GSS meet high-quality standards.
  • Failure to submit a first draft paper by the specified deadline and not adhering to the quality or standards set by Workshop Chairs and/or GSS, may change the participant's status to a listener rather than a paper presenter.
  • After the GSS concludes, participants have two months to revise the paper and submit the final version, which includes the Chair's comments during the workshop discussion, to qualify for publication.

Publication Plan

  • Workshop Chairs will provide a publication plan for the workshop.
  • Any paper published from the GSS workshops must ensure the following:
    1. Acknowledge Gulf Studies Symposium in all paper drafts and publications.
    2. Provide complimentary copies of the publications to GSS coordinators.
    3. GSS reserves the right to promote and feature the publication.
  • A collective publication is the final goal for papers, GSS presents an opportunity for WDs and participants to publish papers through different mediums:
    • Gulf International Forum reserves the right to solicit papers for publication as reports in agreement with presenters and Workshop Chairs.
    • Workshop Chairs can solicit outside publishers for edited books.
    • For select cases, Gulf International Forum can publish edited books.
    • Workshop Chairs have the option to contact academic journals for a series of journal articles.
    • Individual journal articles are viable options for academics that were not able to secure a journal series with the workshop.
    • Suggestions for other forms of publication are welcome but ideally these would be published collectively in the aforementioned formats.

Important Deadlines

  • September 15, 2025 call for abstracts
  • October 31, 2025 abstract submission deadline
  • January 31, 2026 first draft submission
  • February 21, 2026 peer review deadline
  • March 15, 2026 final draft submission
  • April 11-12, 2026 workshops in Doha

Logistics and Travel Grant

All paper presenters are expected to participate in person at the workshops in Doha, Qatar, on April 11–12, 2026. Presenters are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and covering the associated expenses to attend the Gulf Studies Symposium. Students and scholars whose trip to GSS is not supported by their respective institutions may be eligible to apply for a grant. Please note that grants are awarded per paper, and if a paper is presented by more than one presenter, only one grant will be provided. Only presenters who travel to Doha, and participate in the two-day symposium are eligible for this grant. Required documentation will need to be submitted to confirm eligibility. Grant requests must be submitted within 60 days of the symposium's conclusion. The grant amounts are as follows:

  • Presenters traveling to Doha from the GCC states excluding those residing in Qatar: $300
  • Presenters traveling to Doha from the Middle East and North Africa, that includes North African countries, Levant countries, Iraq, Yemen, Iran and Turkey: $450
  • Presenters traveling to Doha from Africa (excluding North Africa), Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and Europe: $600
  • Presenters traveling to Doha from the Americas: $700

To request a one-time travel grant, please submit the following documents to gss@gulfif.org:

  • A completed GSS Stipend Form (click here to download)
  • A completed and signed Non-Recepeint Grant Letter (click here to download). All applicants must submit a signed copy of this letter.
  • Flight ticket and hotel/AirBnB receipts

Important Notice: The Third Gulf Studies Symposium has been postponed due to current regional circumstances. This is a postponement, not a cancellation.

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