Author Guidelines – Progressive Horizons Journal

Published by Proutist Universal

Welcome to Progressive Horizons. Thank you for considering our journal for your work. These author guidelines are designed to help authors prepare manuscripts for submission and to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with the journal’s focus on Prout principles.

See our Call for Papers for the upcoming issue. And submit your manuscript using the Article Submission Form

Scope & Thematic Alignment

Progressive Horizons publishes contributions that engage with themes directly related to the principles of Prout and their applications in society, ecology, human development, and governance. Submissions should align with one or more of the following thematic areas:

• Social and Economic Justice
  • Analysing historical and contemporary mechanisms of oppression, including economic concentration, social marginalisation, and psychological domination.
  • Examining policies and power dynamics that reproduce global and local inequities.
  • Promoting economic democracy and equitable opportunity through decentralised and cooperative models.
  • Advancing the optimal and responsible use of physical, intellectual, and spiritual resources for collective well-being.
  • Balancing individual liberty with collective welfare through rational, ethical frameworks.
  • Ensuring a rational distribution of wealth, guaranteeing the minimum essentialities for all and allocating surplus resources based on merit and social contribution.
  • Addressing migration, including forced displacement, economic migration, and refugee crises, and exploring strategies to support migrants’ rights, integration, and access to resources.
• Ecology and Sustainability
  • Maximum utilization of the world’s resources in a way that is restorative, equitable.
  • Environmental conservation and regenerative practices
  • Permaculture and sustainable management of natural and social resources
  • Socio-ecological innovations supporting planetary well-being and strengthening community resilience against environmental shocks
• Cyclical Social Dynamics & Governance
  • Analysis of the social cycle, evolutionary and revolutionary processes
  • Structures and mechanisms for social governance guided by ethical, intellectual, and spiritual values
  • Rational constitutional, legal, and institutional frameworks promoting social harmony
  • Autonomous collective units, world solidarity, and universal humanism
  • Examining migration as a socio-economic phenomenon within historical, political, and environmental cycles, and investigating governance and solidarity mechanisms to address migration challenges.
• Integrated Human Development 
  • Exploring paradigms, epistemologies, and the evolution of scientific thought in relation to consciousness and holistic knowledge systems
  • Integrating education as a vehicle for ethical, intellectual, and spiritual development, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collective awareness
  • Promoting the holistic evolution of individuals and communities across physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions
  • Translating spiritual and ethical principles into actionable strategies for education, governance, and social organisation
  • Showcasing research or case studies where integrative approaches contribute to equitable growth, community well-being, and social harmony
  • Connecting personal development with collective progress, emphasising how individual capacities support broader societal flourishing
• Interdisciplinary and Applied Research
  • Original research or reflective analysis in economics, governance, sociology, education, ecology, community development, and technology, aligned with Prout and the journal’s thematic scope.
  • Case studies, practical applications, or interventions demonstrating Prout-aligned approaches.

Article Types

Progressive Horizons follows a hybrid editorial model, combining peer-reviewed and editorially reviewed contributions to balance academic rigour with accessibility and practical relevance.

Peer-reviewed articles ensure scholarly depth and methodological soundness, while editorially reviewed pieces highlight lived experience, reflective analysis, and creative exploration of Prout in action.

Notes for authors:

• Authors should select the article type that best fits their contribution and are encouraged to confirm with the editorial team prior to submission. Prout’s Vision submissions may be editorially reviewed or peer-reviewed depending on conceptual depth and methodological rigor.
• Each submission must also indicate the thematic area(s) that best reflect the focus of the work. Thematic areas describe the content and focus, while article types define the structure, format, and editorial process.
• Word counts are guidelines; flexibility is allowed with editorial approval.
• For articles including photos, interviews, or other media, permissions and consent must be obtained.
• All articles, whether peer-reviewed or editorially reviewed, must maintain a balance between problem analysis and solutions/proposals. While authors should critically examine systems of oppression, exploitation, or inequity, the editorial focus emphasizes proactive solutions or actionable strategies. For each problem discussed, multiple solution pathways should be proposed.
• Submission Requirement: Authors must indicate and briefly justify both the thematic area and article type in their cover letter upon submission. This ensures the editorial team can assign reviewers appropriately and place the article in the correct journal section and assign appropriate reviewers.

Author Background: The majority of authors will likely already be familiar with Prout, but expertise is not required to submit. Manuscripts from researchers, practitioners, or thinkers working within adjacent or overlapping fields are encouraged, as long as the work aligns with the journal’s thematic focus outlined above. Prospective authors are encouraged to check with the editors before undertaking a manuscript to ensure the topic fits the journal’s scope.

Rigor and Relevance: Work should present empirical research, theoretical analysis, reflective insight, or practical application with a structured methodology or logical framework.

Originality and Prior Publication: Submissions should ideally be original. However, in alignment with the principle of ‘maximum utilisation of intellectual resources’, previously published work may be considered if the author holds the rights to reuse it, proper credit is given, and the work is appropriately adapted or updated to fit the journal’s theme and formatting. All sources must be cited, and the editorial team will assess whether prior publication is compatible with the journal’s scope and standards. 

Accessibility and Ethics: Manuscripts should be clear, well-structured, properly cite sources, and adhere to research ethics standards.

For formatting guidelines and further relevant information, see below the corresponding section for your submission type: Editorially Reviewed or Peer-Reviewed Articles.

Editorially Reviewed Articles (Prout’s Vision, Experiences, Interviews, Reviews)

Manuscript Formatting Guidelines

Required Components:

• Front page including only:
  • Title 
  • Author(s) and affiliation(s): For multiple authors, all contributors should be listed, with roles or contributions indicated where appropriate. Authorship should reflect substantial intellectual or practical input, and all authors must approve the final manuscript. Affiliation optional for non-academic contributors.
  • Keywords: 3–5 words that best represent the article’s content.
  • Abstract: Maximum 200 words summarising the whole article.
  • Impact Statement: 1–3 sentences highlighting the significance or practical relevance of the article.
• Main text – Flexible structure based on article type and narrative style:
  • Prout’s Vision: Conceptual essays, opinion pieces, or reflective analyses
  • Experiences: Reports of practical application; inclusion of photographs is encouraged and they require descriptive captions. 
  • Interviews: Q&A format or narrative summary.
  • Reviews: Analytical or reflective commentary on media.
• References & Citations: Include if relevant; formal referencing style optional (APA 7th edition style) but recommended for clarity. Editors may request citations for bold statements which lack clear support.
• Formatting: Submissions may use preferred font/spacing; suggested for readability: sans serif font (e.g., Arial, Calibri), double spacing, justified alignment.
• Tables, Figures, and Media: Authors are strongly encouraged to include figures, diagrams, illustrations, photographs, or other visual materials to enhance clarity and communicate results effectively. All tables, figures, and media must be numbered (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1) and include descriptive captions. Permissions must be obtained where appropriate.
• Acronyms: Explain at first usage.

Notes: Editorially reviewed submissions prioritise clarity, accessibility, and engagement, rather than formal academic structure. They must still maintain balance between problem analysis and solutions, and align with Prout principles.

Peer-Reviewed Articles (Prout’s Vision, Emerging Paradigm)

Manuscript Formatting Guidelines

Required Components:

• Front cover page including only:
  • Title 
  • Author(s) and affiliation(s): For multiple authors, all contributors should be listed, with roles or contributions indicated where appropriate. Authorship should reflect substantial intellectual or practical input, and all authors must approve the final manuscript. Affiliation optional for non-academic contributors.
  • Keywords: 3–5 words that best represent the article’s content.
  • Abstract: Maximum 250 words summarising the whole article.
  • Impact Statement: 2–4 sentences highlighting the significance, contribution, or practical relevance of the article.
  • Data Availability Statement (if relevant, see below)
• Main text (structured as appropriate for research articles):
  • Emerging Paradigms:
    • Introduction
    • Literature Review / Background
    • Methods / Approach
    • Results / Analysis
    • Discussion
    • Conclusion
  • Prout’s Vision – Flexible in structure, but suggested:
    • Introduction / Context
    • Core Argument / Vision
    • Applications / Implications
    • Discussion / Reflection
    • Conclusion
• References & Bibliography: APA 7th edition style.
• Tables, Figures, and Media: Authors are strongly encouraged to include figures, diagrams, illustrations, or other visual materials where they help communicate ideas or results. Must be numbered (e.g., Table 1, Table 2) and have descriptive captions. Permissions must be obtained where appropriate
• Formatting: Submissions may use preferred font/spacing; suggested for readability: sans serif font (e.g., Arial, Calibri), double spacing, justified alignment.
• Acronyms: Explain at first usage.

Notes: Peer-reviewed submissions require adherence to formal academic standards, including clear structure, evidence-based arguments, and references to prior literature.

Data Transparency and Availability

Authors submitting manuscripts involving data analysis must include a Data Availability Statement, choosing one of the following options in the submission portal:

• Data openly available
• Data available on request
• Data not available
• Not applicable

Data Retention: Authors must retain all research data supporting the results for at least 5 years post-publication and provide it to the editorial team upon request to allow verification or replication of the work.

Peer Review Policy

Type: Double-blind peer review.

Criteria: Scientific rigor, originality, clarity, relevance, alignment with Prout principles.

Process:

1. Initial editorial check for scope and completeness.
2. Blind review by two reviewers.
3. Editorial decision: accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject.

Reviewers must maintain confidentiality and declare conflicts of interest.

Evaluations should be objective, constructive, and free from personal bias.

Revision Timeline:

The first editorial decision (accept, revise, or reject) is typically communicated within 1 month of submission.

• For minor revisions, authors should submit the revised manuscript within 1 month.

• For major revisions, authors should submit the revised manuscript within 3 months.
• If additional time is needed, authors should inform the editorial team before the deadline.

• Manuscripts that have been rejected may be resubmitted only if substantial revisions and new contributions have been made. Authors should clearly indicate the changes and improvements in a cover letter upon resubmission.

Submission Language & Translation Policy

Peer-Reviewed Articles:

• Authors may submit in a non-English language only if a qualified reviewer fluent in that language is available. It is essential to confirm reviewer availability with the editorial team before undertaking substantial work on the manuscript to avoid disappointment.
• If no reviewer is available, the manuscript must be submitted in English or with a high-quality English translation. Authors are responsible for reviewing and approving the translated version for clarity and accuracy.
• This ensures that peer review is meaningful, accurate, and preserves scholarly rigor.
  

Editorially Reviewed Articles:

• Submissions should ideally be in English.
• If submitted in another language, the editorial team will translate it into English for review and publication.
• Authors are responsible for reviewing and approving the translated version for clarity and accuracy.

Submission Process

• Submit manuscripts electronically via the Article Submission Form
• Include a cover letter stating:
  • Article type
  • Thematic area(s)
  • Brief summary of contribution
  • Suitability for the journal

Ethical Guidelines

Authors must adhere to the following ethical standards when submitting to Progressive Horizons:

• Proper Citation: All sources, including data, quotations, and visual material, must be properly cited using APA style.
• Permissions for Reproduced Material: Written permission is required for any reproduced material (e.g., figures, photographs, interviews). For interviews, informed consent must be obtained and documented.
• Research Involving Humans or Animals
  • If the manuscript involves human participants or animal subjects, authors must obtain prior approval from their institutional review board or equivalent ethics committee.
  • If the principles of neo-humanism are not observed, manuscripts may be rejected.
  • The name of the approving body and reference number should be stated in the methodology section.
  • Independent researchers who do not have access to an institutional ethics board must provide:
    • A clear statement describing how ethical standards were maintained (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality safeguards, humane treatment of animals).
    • Copies of consent forms or equivalent documentation may be requested by the editors.
• Transparency and Disclosure: Authors must disclose all sources of funding, sponsorship, and any potential conflicts of interest.

• Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism

• • All submissions will be screened for plagiarism using standard detection software.
  • Similarity Threshold: As a guideline, manuscripts with overall similarity above 15% (excluding references and commonly used phrases) will be carefully reviewed. Higher similarity does not automatically lead to rejection; the editorial team will assess whether the overlap constitutes plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or unavoidable similarity.
  • Self-plagiarism: Reuse of an author’s previously published text must be clearly cited. Substantial uncredited reuse may result in rejection.
  • Serious Violations: Clear cases of plagiarism or unethical reuse of others’ work will result in immediate rejection and may be reported to the author’s institution if appropriate.

• AI Usage Disclosure
  If artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of the manuscript (e.g., for drafting text, analyzing data, or generating images), authors must disclose the nature and extent of their use in the methods section.

Rights & Licensing

Copyright: Authors retain full copyright of their work.

License: Articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), allowing others to share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution.

Publishing Rights: By submitting, authors grant Progressive Horizons the non-exclusive right to publish and distribute the article in all formats and media.

Open Access: All articles are freely accessible online immediately upon publication, enabling wide dissemination of knowledge and research.

Contact

Editor-in-chief: Dr. Ralph Andrews
Editors: Prof. Christianne Dupuy; Dr. Fábio Duarte, ⁨Dada Maheshvarananda

For queries or submission assistance, please contact:
Email: [email protected]