The Journal of Economics, Policy and Development Studies is a peer-reviewed, open-access platform dedicated to advancing scholarly understanding of economic systems, public policy frameworks, and the dynamic pathways of human development. As an international forum, the journal promotes academic discourse that bridges theoretical economics, applied policy research, and development studies with real-world implications for societies across the globe. It brings together a wide range of topics under a shared goal: to deepen insights into economic behavior, institutional mechanisms, social equity, sustainable development, and governance at local, regional, and international levels.

The journal encourages submissions from researchers, economists, policy analysts, development professionals, and scholars who work within and across the related domains of macroeconomics, microeconomics, fiscal policy, trade dynamics, institutional economics, development planning, and social policy. Contributions that demonstrate practical policy relevance, comparative regional analyses, or original quantitative and qualitative findings are especially welcomed. The journal prioritizes clarity, analytical depth, and methodological rigor in all published work, ensuring that each article provides meaningful contributions to scholarly knowledge and policy debates.

This journal was established with the belief that economic progress and human development are intertwined, and that effective policy design requires evidence-based approaches that account for diverse socioeconomic conditions. By fostering a space for critical inquiry, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and thoughtful evaluation of policy outcomes, the Journal of Economics, Policy and Development Studies aims to support knowledge that informs sustainable and equitable progress.

Interdisciplinary and Global in Scope

Recognizing the interconnected nature of today’s challenges, the journal maintains an interdisciplinary orientation that includes economics, sociology, political science, public administration, finance, and development studies. It also invites insights from regional planning, human geography, behavioral economics, and governance studies. The journal supports cross-cutting themes such as poverty alleviation, inclusive growth, climate policy, digital finance, trade liberalization, institutional resilience, and post-crisis economic recovery.

The journal’s scope extends to diverse geographies and contexts, including emerging economies, developing nations, small island states, and post-conflict societies. Manuscripts exploring locally-grounded solutions, sectoral reforms, and culturally relevant policies are particularly valued. The journal aims to present a balanced representation of global scholarship by promoting contributions from both developed and developing world scholars, institutions, and policy thinkers.

What the Journal Publishes

The Journal of Economics, Policy and Development Studies publishes a variety of scholarly outputs, including full-length original research articles, review-based studies, policy evaluations, theoretical frameworks, and case-driven inquiries. The journal also considers comparative analyses, longitudinal studies, technical briefs, book reviews, and discussion papers on timely policy debates.

Each submission undergoes rigorous double-blind peer review to ensure academic integrity and technical excellence. Articles selected for publication must demonstrate relevance, originality, sound methodology, and clear presentation of arguments. The journal accepts both empirical and theoretical work, provided the research problem is clearly articulated, the methodology is appropriate, and the results are well-supported and discussed in light of the literature.

Submissions that include policy recommendations, reform analysis, or impact assessments are particularly encouraged, especially when supported by robust evidence and analytical clarity. The journal also supports work that evaluates multilateral development efforts, economic transitions, or institutional performance, with implications for practice and reform.

Key Themes Covered

The journal covers a wide array of topics relevant to economics, policy design, and development strategies, including but not limited to:

• Macroeconomic and microeconomic theory and applications
• Fiscal policy, taxation, and government spending
• Economic growth, income distribution, and poverty reduction
• Labor markets, employment trends, and migration
• Trade policy, globalization, and international cooperation
• Development finance, aid effectiveness, and investment flows
• Public policy analysis and governance structures
• Sustainable development, resource management, and environmental economics
• Infrastructure development, urbanization, and regional planning
• Innovation, digital economies, and inclusive financial systems
• Education, healthcare policy, and social safety nets
• Political economy and institutional reforms
• Monitoring and evaluation of policy interventions
• Gender and development, equity, and participation in policymaking

Commitment to Access, Ethics, and Integrity

As part of VJ Research Hub, the Journal of Economics, Policy and Development Studies upholds the principles of transparency, research ethics, and accessibility. The journal operates under an open-access publishing model, making all published content freely available to readers around the world without subscription or access fees. This approach helps ensure that critical research reaches policymakers, educators, students, and practitioners in both high-resource and low-resource settings.

Ethical publication practices are fundamental to the journal’s mission. All submitted manuscripts must be the original work of the authors, free from plagiarism, and must not have been published elsewhere or be under review with another journal. Research involving human data or policy impact assessments must follow accepted ethical standards, and authors must provide appropriate disclosures and acknowledgments.

The journal also maintains strict standards in peer review and editorial decision-making, overseen by a global editorial board comprising scholars and experts from various specializations. This international team brings diverse perspectives and deep subject matter expertise to ensure balanced, constructive, and fair evaluations.

Supporting a Collaborative Research Community

The Journal of Economics, Policy and Development Studies serves not only as a publication venue but also as a collaborative space for critical discourse and exchange. It encourages contributions from established scholars as well as early-career researchers. Interdisciplinary and co-authored submissions are welcomed, particularly those that bridge the divide between academic research and practical policy implementation.

The journal values regional representation, collaborative partnerships, and submissions that highlight case studies from underrepresented areas or populations. It is also open to publishing special issues on focused themes that align with current policy priorities or development agendas at national or international levels.

Through its commitment to academic quality, inclusiveness, and accessibility, the Journal of Economics, Policy and Development Studies contributes to shaping informed policy, advancing economic knowledge, and promoting development strategies that respond to both global standards and local realities.

Researchers, policymakers, academics, and development professionals are encouraged to submit their work to the journal for consideration. Manuscripts should align with the journal’s themes and uphold the highest standards of academic quality and relevance. Submissions can be made via the official journal portal or submission email.

For details on submission requirements, manuscript formatting, peer review, and publication policies, please refer to the Author Guidelines section on the journal’s website.