Landscape Journal welcomes the submission of original manuscripts that report on empirical research and other scholarship that advance the understanding of land planning, design, and management practices, policies, and outcomes at any spatial scale and geographic context. Landscape Journal publishes five types of articles. Please adhere to applicable word limits through concise and direct writing with minimal jargon and redundancy. Manuscripts may be returned to the author(s)—prior to peer review—with a request to condense the work. Submitted manuscripts must be neither published in similar form nor under consideration by another periodical.
Submission of a paper to Landscape Journal implies that it has neither been published elsewhere nor is under consideration by another periodical. All submissions will be through an electronic submission system at lj.msubmit.net.
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Article Types
- Original Research (5,000–9,000 words, including tables, figures, notes, and references)
Empirical research including historical analyses, meta-analyses, and comparative analyses of multiple case studies. Topics include cultural (built) and natural landscapes (structure, function, and change) and the methods and outcomes of teaching, professional practice, and research. Research articles must clearly state the research question, research methods, and the relevance of findings to the education or practice of land planning, design, policy, or management or to the landscapes affected by these activities. Both quantitative and qualitative research are welcome.
- Systematic Reviews (5,000–10,000 words, including tables, figures, notes, and references)
Comprehensive scoping studies and systematic reviews of peer-reviewed literature synthesize and contextualize the state of knowledge about (a) landscape phenomena and/or (b) the state-of-the-art practice in teaching, research, or professional practice. This article type critically evaluates, classifies, and compares what is known about a particular issue or topic. Systematic reviews may identify gaps in knowledge and suggest future research themes or approaches to planning, design, and management.
- Essays (1,000–8,000 words, including tables, figures, notes, and references)
Descriptive, reflective, or speculative essays on research (e.g., methodological innovations, interdisciplinary collaboration, evolving research agendas), teaching and pedagogy (e.g., innovative curricula, learning platforms, mentoring programs), or professional practice (e.g., practice-based research, design innovations, knowledge needs). “In Practice” essays that comment on contemporary practice challenges or opportunities—and reflect on the implications for future practice—are especially welcome.
- Policy Briefs (3,000–6,000 words, including tables, figures, notes, and references)
Balanced analyses of current policies and policy alternatives—whether enacted by governments, professions, or nongovernmental institutions. Evidence-based arguments for and against plausible policy alternatives (including comparisons with existing policies) are welcome. Policy briefs, for example, may address unintended consequences of existing public policies (e.g., zoning codes, design review policies, stormwater management ordinances).
- Reviews and Conference Reports (500–2,000 words)
Critical reviews of books, films, videos, conferences, symposia, websites, and software are welcome. Book reviews consider the context of related books. Reviews should address the book’s graphic qualities (e.g., cover/jacket, media, printing, figures) and provide essential publisher details, costs, and formats. Most book reviews are written within one year after the book’s publication date, although later submissions will be considered. Conference reports address the meeting theme(s), sponsoring association, workshops, keynote speakers, field trips, and innovative technologies or formats. Proposals to write a review or conference report should be sent to the Editorial Office.
- Original Research (5,000–9,000 words, including tables, figures, notes, and references)
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Submission Requirements
All manuscripts must be submitted through the online submission system. Click here to submit a paper: https://lj.msubmit.net/. Authors must register to submit manuscripts and check on the status of their submissions. The system enables the editorial staff to track submissions and communications throughout the manuscript review process. Each submission, regardless of article type, should include a cover letter, the manuscript, and image files (if part of the article). Simultaneous submission of the same paper to other journals is unacceptable. Manuscripts previously published elsewhere, either in a literal or an approximate form, cannot be accepted. If in doubt, consult the Editor.
Author Anonymity. To allow for double-blind review, do not place your name or other identifying information in the text in a way that a reviewer could identify the author(s). Recognize that the absence of names in a reference that contains all the other information can make the author(s) identities discoverable. Do not include Acknowledgments or Author Biographies in the initial manuscript. This information is added later if the article is accepted for publication. Refer to Landscape Journal’s Manuscript Style Guide.
- Cover Letter
Briefly explain how your submission fits Landscape Journal. Refer to the journal’s aims and scope. Include a bulleted list of three to five scholarship highlights. Include the following:
- Originality. Statement indicating that the submission has not been published nor is it under consideration for publication by any other outlet. The Editorial Office may check for plagiarism, duplicate publication, and conformance with other ethical standards.
- Peer Review. Statement affirming your desire to have the submission reviewed by the Landscape Journal Editorial Office and peer reviewers and a desire for publication if accepted.
- Acknowledgments (up to 100 words). Identify and list the people who helped with data collection, editing, and internal review (if used), as well as funding source(s) and compliance with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to animal/human subjects and hazards. Institutional Review Board (IRB) clearance affirmation is one example. If funding and/or IRB approvals were not used or required, please state this as well.
- Conflicts of Interest. Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest that could be construed to influence the results and/or interpretation of the manuscript. If no conflicts exist, please state that for each author.
- Author Biography (up to 100 words). Identify and list each author in individual paragraphs. Add a paragraph explaining each author’s contribution to the submission.
- Word Count. Including the title, abstract (<250 words), keywords (six maximum), tables, figures, notes, and references (American Psychological Association—APA style) in addition to the main text.
- Peer Reviewers
Authors may suggest the names of potential peer reviewers as well as reviewers to exclude. Please include the suggested reviewer’s name, email address, and institution/organization to help the Editorial Office locate the person if selected for a review invitation. If you identify anyone to exclude, please indicate why you wish to exclude a particular person from a possible review as part of the cover letter. Conflicts of interest typically include current employment at the same institution, financial sponsors, close faculty–student relationships, or being direct collaborators on work within the past five years. There may be additional reasons to consider conflict of interest; when in doubt, consult with the Editor or exclude the person as a reviewer. Colleagues who have read the submission prior to submission to Landscape Journal should be excluded from the double-blind peer review process. - Manuscript
Microsoft Word (.docx) format with figures and tables placed in the body of the manuscript to facilitate the editorial and peer review processes. Do not submit Adobe Portable Document Format files (.pdf).
- Manuscript Title Page
- Title (5–15 words) that is descriptive (e.g., topic, approach, context, results)
- Abstract (no more than 250 words) that summarizes the paper’s purpose, methods, and major findings or innovations
- Keywords (six maximum, without repeating words in the article title)
- Main Text Body
- Headings and subheadings
- Double spaced
- Tables and figures (with captions) are placed in the text body. High-quality figures are uploaded separately and will be used if the submission is accepted (see Additional Files). Each table and figure should have an in-text call-out.
- References (start on new page)
- Double spaced
- Aligned flush left with hanging indent
- Alphabetize entries by author’s surname (follow the APA (7th edition) publication manual. Common examples are provided in the Landscape Journal Manuscript Style Guide).
- Manuscript Title Page
- Additional Files (Illustrations)
Illustration files should be high-quality color or black and white images (minimum 300 dpi resolution). Illustrations in the printed version of articles are reproduced in black and white (unless color fees are paid by the authors). Illustrations in the digital, online version of articles are reproduced in color. These higher-resolution files should not be included in the file that is supplied to the peer reviewers through the submission process. Name each figure file consecutively as in "AuthorSurname_Figure01.tif". Figures should be submitted as separate files in TIF (preferred), EPS (preferred for line art), .jpg, .bmp, or .png format. Please follow the Artwork Guidelines.
- Supplemental Files (Optional)
A digital supplemental file may be included for readers to download from the University of Wisconsin Press website if the article is published. For instance, a Keyhole Markup Language (KML or KMZ) file could be provided so that readers can “visit” the landscape addressed in the manuscript via Google Earth. Author(s) could include research questionnaires, or survey instrument, so that other scholars might replicate the study with a different participant sample. In some qualitative studies, supplemental material in the form of expanded transcripts or audio/video recordings could be provided. Other file formats can be accommodated. If you are interested, please consult with the Editor to discuss what you have in mind. In all cases, the legal right to use (redistribute) the digital file(s) must be secured by the author(s).
- Cover Letter
- Manuscript Review Process
- Editorial Review
The editorial staff reviews each manuscript submission to assess the work’s relevance to Landscape Journal’s aims and scope. As part of the initial submission review, the Editorial Office checks for completeness and compliance with these guidelines. Manuscripts may be returned to the author(s) at this stage, without peer review. Modifications may be requested to comply with journal standards or word count limits or to improve the clarity of the writing. Submitting complete and well-written manuscripts can markedly reduce the review, revision, and production timeline. Authors whose native language is not English may want to consider sending a pre-submission draft to a professional copyediting service. The Editor welcomes communication from authors with ideas for prospective articles.
- Peer Review (Double-Blind)
Double-blind peer review is sought for most article types except book reviews and reports and some essays, which may receive only editorial review. For each manuscript, the Editor invites three qualified reviewers who may be located anywhere in the world. Landscape Journal’s reviewers have expertise in a variety of disciplines, including landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, architecture, civil engineering, law, geography, ecology, and sociology.
Peer review is a collaborative process that relies on willing reviewers from the scholarly community. For every manuscript, three peer reviews are typically acquired before a publication decision is made by the Editor. Reviewers consider the following criteria:
- Contribution: Does the manuscript add new scholarly knowledge or improve understanding of land planning, design, or management?
- Originality: Does the submission advance discourse, develop or apply new methods, or offer novel perspectives?
- Relevance: Does the manuscript fall within the journal’s scope? What is the work’s relevance for the academic and/or practice communities in land planning, design, management, or policy?
- Rigor: Is the work methodologically sound? Does it draw appropriate conclusions from the study’s findings or available evidence? Are study limitations noted?
- Clarity: Is the manuscript well organized, clearly written, and the proper length (i.e., direct, non-redundant, grammatically correct, free of spelling errors)?
- Editorial Review
- Production Process
Given Landscape Journal’s biannual printing schedule, accepted articles typically appear in print form within six to ten months. The editorial team and University of Wisconsin Press will strive to digitally publish accepted articles more frequently. Accepted articles, prior to copy-editing and typesetting, may appear online several weeks or months before the issue containing the article is printed.
- License to Publish/Image License Agreements
If a submission is accepted for publication, a License to Publish form must be completed and signed by each author before copyediting can begin. If the paper includes figures, Image License Agreement forms will be needed for each image that was not produced by the author(s). These forms are supplied by the Editorial Office and are returned to the University of Wisconsin Press. - Complimentary Copy
One complimentary copy of the Landscape Journal issue in which your article appears will be mailed to you. Please make sure your mailing address is current in the electronic submission system (eJournalPress). Unless you request otherwise, this is the address that will be used to mail your printed copy. - Reprints
Additional article reprints may be ordered through the University of Wisconsin Press website. Go to https://uwpress.wisc.edu/journals/article_copies.html and follow the instructions. - Optional Color Fees
Authors may elect to have the images in their articles appear in color. Depending on the size of the article and/or number of images, authors may choose either a four-page, eight-page, or sixteen-page “signature” (or section). The author-paid fee for a four-page signature is currently $650. The fee for an eight-page signature is $700. The fee for a sixteen-page signature is $950. Upon manuscript acceptance, please inform the Editor of your wish to print images in color. - Other Publication Fees
When a research grant or other institutional funds are available to underwrite publication costs, authors are requested to pay page fees of $60/page. However, ability to pay is not a condition for a manuscript’s acceptance and publication. To pay online, please go to: https://charge.wisc.edu/uwpress/PublishingFees.aspx or email [email protected] for assistance. - Gold Open Access
Landscape Journal offers the option of Gold Open Access (OA) after an article has been peer- reviewed and accepted for publication. The authors, their institutions, or funding bodies must pay an Open Access fee to defray the costs of publication. The electronic version of the article will then appear on the journal website, free for readers to access without a paywall, in perpetuity and without an embargo. Gold OA articles are published under the CC-BY-ND-NC license, which allows sharing and access, but does not allow republication, commercial use, or distribution. A less restrictive Creative Commons license may be negotiated with the publisher separately for a higher fee. Articles can also be made OA at any point after they have been published in the journal, even if some time has passed since initial publication. Please direct questions about open access to the Editor.
OA Fee Information and Payment Options
UW Press Rights and Permissions page
- License to Publish/Image License Agreements