Submit a Manuscript to the Journal
Policy Studies

For a Special Issue on
The first consequences of the war in Ukraine

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, in an escalation of a conflict that began in 2014.  The immediate consequences were the loss of life and the large volume of refugees from Ukraine.  However, the consequences are far reaching in Ukraine and beyond, given the close interconnection of international political, economic and policy systems.

The traditional focus of the effects of wars is on inter-state relations and strategic issues.  However, there are potentially much wider global consequences for a greater variety of policy areas.  The effects of these are not always studied so closely – or in a more unified way, with the effects of war usually the preserve of strategic studies.  Policy studies often tends to treat the effects of war as an ‘external shock’ or ‘punctuated equilibrium’ with little further theoretical reflection.

This special issue will consider the first consequences of the war, still ongoing at the time of the call, aware that these are changing in real time.  Papers are welcome on the effects of the war on particular policy areas in Ukraine,  across Europe and globally– but also how theoretical concepts such as ‘exogenous shocks’ and ‘punctuated equilibrium’ are used for understanding policy change.

Papers are welcome that may include any of the following topics:

• The causes of the conflict
• The effects of the decision to invade Ukraine, on ‘foreign’ policy areas including, but not limited to:
  • Changing economic relations with Russia, especially states and companies that had major factories and production facilities in Russia
  • The conflict’s impacts on other hot spots and regions with major territorial disputes.
  • Ukrainian soft power/diplomacy both in the European and international stage
  • Ukrainian diaspora and its support for the Ukrainian cause in the conflict
• The effects on wider politics, political systems and governance:
  • Shifting public opinion in major European and other regional states of Russia and Ukraine
  • Wider sifts in public opinion and electoral outcomes around the world
  • Economic policies internationally or within particular states
  • Energy policies internationally or within particular states
  • The effects on hidden spaces within countries or internationally
  • The role of international organisations such as the UN, UNESCO or EU
• The usefulness of theoretical approaches to understanding policy change such as ‘exogenous shocks’ and ‘punctuated equilibrium’ for understanding the policy changes that have been caused by the war.

Papers will be published on a rolling basis to maximise policy relevance, before being married up into the final special issue.

Papers should:

• Typically be 5,000 to 7,000 words in length, but longer articles of up to 10,000 words are also welcome.
• Submissions should follow the Policy Studies instructions for authors.
• Authors are asked to contact the Editor-in-Chief, Toby James, in advance to inform him of the intention to submit.
• Submissions should be made before 1^st August 2023. Please note, however, that papers will be reviewed and published on a rolling basis so early submission is strongly advised.

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article