The first issue of Politicus is set for publication in March 2014.

By Rosie Hales, Communications Officer

A new politics and international affairs research journal, Politicus, hopes to publish undergraduate student work and start conversations on current and sometimes controversial topics.

The new journal aims to give undergraduate students of all disciplines the chance to have their work published in an academic journal before they reach graduate school.

The first issue is set for publication in March 2014.

Politicus is the brainchild of fourth year politics student and first managing editor, Troy Sherman. He said that he came up with the idea when he learned that the London School of Economics publishes an academic journal called Millennium.

“I thought about how great it would be to have something like that at Queen’s,” says Mr. Sherman. “We have the talent, we just don’t have the outlet yet. University should be a place where people can share, discuss and challenge ideas. Politicus will give undergrads a chance to do this.”

The new journal will appear in its entirety online and be published twice a year. Students worldwide will be able to access its information.

“I hope that it will promote undergraduate research collaboration,” says Mr. Sherman. “For me, this helps distinguish Queen’s as a university and makes Queen’s an attractive place for students both nationally and internationally.”

Out of many things that Mr. Sherman looks forward to when it comes to the development of Politicus, he says he’s most excited to see how students decide to approach complex and sometimes controversial issues.

It’s hoped that public workshops and lecture series will also be established as a complement to Politicus. For example, as collaborative research is becoming a new standard in the area of social science, a workshop featuring information and tips on collaborative research might be organized to prepare students for this part of their research career. 

The Office of the Vice Principal (Research) provided some funding and guidance to the development of the journal.

"One of our strategic research goals at Queen's is to provide more opportunities for students at all levels to participate in research activities," says Dr. Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). "Initiatives such as Politicus do just this by giving undergraduate studens the experience associated with peer-reviewed publishing and the opportunity to have their research published in an accessible and open forum that will inspire discussion and debate."