Call for Papers | Ocean Justice
Ocean Justice: Addressing Crimes & Harms Against the Ocean with a Hopeful Vision for the Future
Special Issue for the International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
Guest Editors: Emiline Smith (University of Glasgow), Julie Berg (University of Glasgow) and Chloe Heys (University of Lancashire)
Summary
The global ocean is being exploited on a large scale. The complexity, diversity and location of these crimes and harms make it extremely difficult for regulatory frameworks to address them effectively. Although international efforts have recently intensified to better protect and preserve marine life and increase our understanding of the human impact on the ocean, anthropogenic crimes and harms against the ocean persist and remain generally underresearched, underreported and underregulated.
Ocean justice seeks to create a more just and sustainable relationship between humans and the ocean, ensuring that benefits and responsibilities are shared fairly and that the health of marine ecosystems is maintained. But what would an inclusive justice approach focused on the ocean look like in policy or practice? And how can we better integrate environmental and social justice concerns into the study of ocean-related crimes and harms?
This special issue aims to shed light on anthropogenic crimes and harms against the ocean, ocean resilience, and the meaning of justice in relation to the ocean. We invite empirically-led, data-driven contributions that address such crimes and harms from a range of angles including academic or policy perspectives. The scope of this special issue focuses on crimes and harms against the ocean.
Submissions
To be considered, please submit a structured abstract (400 words max) covering objectives, methods, results, conclusions as well as a short biography (150 max) by 1 September 2025. Submissions will be selected based on their relevance to themes outlined in this special issue originality overall contribution to field.
All submissions - abstracts, drafts and finals submissions should be sent to oceanjustice2027@gmail.com
Submissions can include, but are not limited to:
- Original research articles (8,000 words max including tables, figures and references)
- Book reviews (1000-2000 words max)
- Short communications (2000-4000 words)
Key Dates
Abstract due: 1 September 2025
Notification of decision: 1 November 2025
First draft due: 1 May 2026
Peer review and submissions: 1 September 2026
Final submissions due: 1 November 2026
Publication: 1 June 2027
All questions should be emailed to oceanjustice2027@gmail.com