Submissions

Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editors).
The submission file is in OpenOffice, Microsoft Word, or RTF document file format.
Where available, URLs for the references have been provided.
The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points.
The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Submission Guidelines.
The author has nominated at least two, and at most six, reviewers with relevant expertise. Authors should nominate such reviewers for the Editorial Board's consideration.

Author Guidelines

A word document version of the guideline can be found here, or you can email journal@hmc.ox.ac.uk for queries relating to accessibility issues.

Style Guide

General Principles

The journal requires a consistent spelling system. British English is preferred, but alternatives will be accepted as long as the same spelling convention is used consistently throughout the submission.

When finalising your paper, attend carefully to consistency of spelling, citation format, quotation mark style, and terminology. Spell-checking tools and AI platforms (such as Claude, ChatGPT, DeepSeek) may be useful aids but must not be relied upon entirely. Human accountability for the final text is required.

Page Layout

Setting	Requirement
Page size	British A4 (210mm x 297mm)
Text alignment	Fully justified (left and right)
Line spacing	12pt spacing
Font	Times New Roman, 11pt
Margins	Top, bottom, left, right: 2.5cm each; no header; no footer
Paragraph spacing	12pt space above each text paragraph (or a blank line if this cannot be set)
Page numbers	Centred at foot of page, Times New Roman 10pt

Headings

First-level headings: BOLD AND CAPS

Second-level headings: Bold

Third-level headings: Italics

Do not use underlining. Headings should be consistent throughout.

House Style: The Essentials

Element	Rule
Spelling	Consistent system throughout. If using British English: '-ise' for prioritise, '-se' for analyse.
Capitals	Only for proper nouns and the start of sentences or titles. Not for general nouns.
Titles	No full stops in abbreviated titles (Dr, Prof, Mr, etc.)
Acronyms	Full name on first use, followed by abbreviation in parentheses: e.g. Council for British Archaeology (CBA)
Numbers	Write out numbers below ten in words. Use numerals for 10 and above, for sequences of quantities, and for section numbers.
Quotation marks	Single quotation marks throughout. Double marks only for a quotation within a quotation.
Percentages	Write 'per cent' in full. Do not use the '%' symbol in body text.
Dates	Day Month Year format: 1 January 2007. Ranges: 1998-99; 2001-2011. Decades: 1980s (not 1980's). Centuries in words: the nineteenth century.
Em dashes	Avoid. Use a comma, parentheses, or a colon instead.

Preliminary Pages Structure

The paper should begin with the following preliminary pages:

Title page.

List of authors: CAPITALISE the surname or family name; include contact email and affiliation for each author. If you wish to include your name in another language or script, place it in parentheses immediately after the English name.

Example: Qi SHU (舒淇), shuqi@university.com, Research Fellow, Centre of Archaeological Science, Peking University, China

For an independent scholar: John SNOW, john@gmail.com, Independent Scholar in Maritime Archaeology, Myanmar

Abstract: fewer than 300 words. Authors may optionally include an abstract in another language alongside the English abstract, provided they confirm it has been checked by a competent speaker of that language.

Keywords: six maximum.

List of abbreviations (if applicable).

List of figures, tables, images, and maps — one item per entry (if applicable).

Main Text Structure (Suggested)

The structure of the main text is at the authors' discretion and should reflect the conventions of your discipline. As a general guide, papers often include:

Introduction: the main question and knowledge gap

Background / Literature Review: definitions, theoretical framework, context

Main Argument or Case Studies: evidence-based presentation of findings or argument

Further Discussion or Evaluation

Conclusion: a summative closing section

AI Use Declaration

The use of Large Language Models (LLMs) or similar AI tools for copy-editing purposes must be declared in the paper's acknowledgements section. This applies to any AI-assisted improvements to readability, grammar, spelling, punctuation, or tone. It does not cover generative content creation or autonomous data analysis, which are not permitted.

AI DECLARATION

Sample acknowledgement statement: 'The author(s) used [Tool Name, e.g. Claude Sonnet] to assist with copy-editing for improved readability, grammar, and language consistency. The AI was not used to generate content, analyse data, or interpret findings. The author(s) reviewed and edited all outputs and take full responsibility for the final published work.'

Images, Figures, Graphs, and Tables

Element	Requirement
Maximum illustrations	Four per paper total (all types combined). Authors must be copyright holders of all images used or have sought permission from the copyright holder, in which case the correct attribution should be included. The Journal takes no responsibility for breaches of copyright where the image is included in an authored submission.
Image resolution	600 dpi minimum. Preferred format: TIFF. JPEG acceptable if saved at sufficiently high resolution.
Colour images	Colour images may be included in the online open-access version. The print/PDF copy will be in greyscale.
Black-and-white images	Must be submitted as greyscale files.
Graphs	Black and white or greyscale; 600 dpi.
Illustrator files	Must be compatible with Adobe Creative Suite.
Word/Excel illustrations	Save as TIFF; quality cannot be guaranteed for print.
Placement	Do not place images in the middle of a paragraph. Large images should appear at the top or bottom of a page. The Journal cannot guarantee exact placement replication in print editions, but where the difference is substantive authors will be consulted.
Tables	Portrait layout where possible. Contact us if you need landscape.
Captions	All figures, graphs, photos, and tables must have a number and a descriptive caption. Each type has its own number sequence: Figure 1, Table 1, etc.

Citation and Referencing

All citations and bibliography entries must follow the Chicago Manual of Style (Author-Date system for most disciplines; Notes and Bibliography for History, Theology, and related Humanities fields — please confirm with the editorial team if uncertain).

Reference Type	In-Text Format	Bibliography Format
Book	(Author surname Year, pages) e.g. (Weisskopf 2014, 10-15)	Author surname, First name. Title of Book. Place: Publisher, Year.
Chapter in edited book	(Author surname Year, pages) e.g. (Power 2009, 115-117)	Author surname, First name. 'Full chapter title.' In Title of Book, edited by Editor First name Surname, page range. Place: Publisher, Year.
Journal article	(Author surname Year, pages)	Author surname, First name. 'Article title.' Journal Name volume, no. issue (Year): page range.
Online source	(Author surname Year) or (Website Title Year)	Author surname, First name. 'Title.' Publication or Site name, Date. URL.

Bibliography format: A-Z by author surname; within the same author, ordered by publication date. The bibliography appears at the end of the paper and runs full page width. For more detailed guidance, see: chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html and york.ac.uk/integrity/chicago.html.

Peer Review Process

Step 1: Submission and Reviewer Nomination

Upon submission via the OJS portal, authors are required to nominate at least two, at most six peer reviewers who can provide informed feedback. Nominees may include: fellow students or tutors from related disciplines; colleagues or departmental staff with relevant expertise; academic mentors or supervisors.

For each nominated reviewer, please provide: their full name, email address, institutional affiliation, a brief description of their relevant expertise, and their ORCID ID. The editorial team will verify all reviewer ORCIDs before making any assignment.

When making a nomination, please either add that to ''comment to editorial team'', or directly upload a list of reviewers on a separate sheet.

If for any reason you are unable to meet this requirement, please contact us at journal@hmc.ox.ac.uk.

Step 2: Editorial Assessment

The editorial board conducts an initial screening to assess: alignment with the journal's scope and mission; scholarly merit and contribution; suitability for developmental review. We aim to make decisions to decline or refer for review within two months of submission.

Step 3: Dual-Layer Developmental Review

Accepted submissions undergo a two-track review: nominated peer reviewers provide preliminary feedback from a peer perspective; and an editorial board member conducts a parallel formal editorial review. Academic Advisor(s) from the HMC Senior Common Room provide additional oversight when suited. Ad-hoc specialist reviewers from in/outside of Oxford departments may be invited for submissions requiring particular expertise.

Step 4: Developmental Feedback/ Revision

The editorial team synthesises all feedback and works directly with authors to refine their work. This collaborative process may involve suggestions for structural improvements, recommendations for additional literature or evidence, guidance on framing and argumentation, and multiple rounds of revision if needed. Authors could then revise their manuscript and address the editor/reviewer's comments where suited.

Step 5: Final Decision

The Editor-in-Chief, advised by the relevant Associate Editor and/or Academic Advisor(s), makes the final publication decision.

Publication Timeline (Volume 1)

Phase	Period
Expressions of interest accepted	From Michaelmas Term 2025 onwards — email journal@hmc.ox.ac.uk
OJS submission portal opens	Week 1, Trinity Term 2026
1st Submission deadline	Week 8, Trinity Term 2026 (21 June 2026)
Editorial and review period	Summer 2026
Production and finalisation	Late Summer to Michaelmas Term 2026
Publication on SHOx	Hilary Term 2027

How to Submit

Submission is via our OJS portal. Log in using your ORCID account. Before the portal opens (before Trinity Term 2026), you may express interest by emailing journal@hmc.ox.ac.uk with a short abstract and your intention to submit.

SUBMISSION PORTAL

Please submit your work here: https://hmcj.shox.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/HMCJ/login.

Please note that the portal will be opened officially by Trinity Term, but you can register for an account to get ready for the submission — contact journal@hmc.ox.ac.uk if you need further assistance.

Research Articles

An original research article is designed to share knowledge with the academic community. It is a formal, structured piece of academic writing that presents the results of original research.

Articles should be between 4,000 and 8,000 words long and can be individually or co-authored. All research articles will be included in the journal’s peer-review process.

Book Reviews

An academic book review is a scholarly evaluation of a recently published book, written by an expert or knowledgeable reviewer for an academic audience. Its purpose is not only to summarize the book’s main arguments and content but also to critically assess its strengths, weaknesses, methodology, theoretical framework, use of evidence, and contribution to its field of study. It aims to place the work within the broader scholarly context, comparing it to existing literature and evaluating its originality, significance, and relevance, helping readers to determine its value and impact.

Book reviews should be between 500 and 1,500 words long. Reviews will be subject to editorial review but will not be peer-reviewed.

Editorial

An editorial article expresses an informed opinion on a current issue, topic, or event. Unlike a research article, an editorial does not present original research data but instead offers interpretation, commentary, or argument based on existing information and the author’s expertise or the publication’s viewpoint. Editorials aim to encourage critical thinking or spark discussion by clearly presenting a position and supporting it with logical reasoning and relevant evidence.

Editorial submissions should be between 500 and 2,500 words long. They will be subject to editorial review but will not be peer-reviewed.

Essays

Unlike a research article, an academic essay does not usually report original research but instead develops a critical argument, interpretation, or theoretical discussion based on existing literature. Essays can be more flexible in structure and often focus on persuasive analysis, critical thinking, and interpretation.

Essay submissions should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words long. Essays will ordinarily be included in the journal’s peer-review process, and authors will be consulted where this is not to be the case.

Academic Symposium

This section is for those who wish to submit their abstracts for the college's MCR Academic Symposium as well as the yearly college postgraduate research visit day. Presenters in the termly symposium will be encouraged to deposit their paper abstract here for publication in HMCJ. The maximum word count for the academic abstract is 500 words, but we encouraged author to keep it between 250 words to 300 words, and provide 5 keywords.

Copyright Notice

Authors of articles published in HMCJ retain copyright and grant third parties the right to use, reproduce, and share the article according to the Creative Commons Attribution licence (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Items are published under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. The content and errata of this website are licenced under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

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