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AI POLICY JUNE 2026

This policy will be updated as needed to respond to the dynamic nature of generative AI and its interactions with research and writing.

AUTHORS

We review each article to assess whether it is original, rigorously researched, and retains the human authorial voice. Any use of AI should not undermine these standards and must be limited to a minor, assistive role.

Below is an illustrative guide on what we see as permissible or not when it comes to AI use. This guide applies to all stages of a manuscript.

AI tools may be used only in a limited, assistive capacity to:

• Correct grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
• Make minor language improvements.
• Format citations.
• Support preliminary and exploratory searches (only akin to a search engine).
• Assist in research in a limited capacity; substantive analysis must be author-led.

All AI-assisted outputs must be carefully reviewed by the author, who remains responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the work.

AI tools must not be used to:

• Rewrite any part of the article.
• Generate any part of the article.
• Generate or shape research questions, hypotheses, or arguments.
• Convert the author’s notes into an article.
• Synthesise or produce a literature review.
• Add citations to the article not actually reviewed by the author.

This list is not exhaustive.

Disclosure Statement

Authors must include an AI disclosure statement as the first page of the article submitted. The desk review process will not begin without the statement. The disclosure statement must:

• Identify any AI tools used (including AI-assisted tools such as Grammarly) in research, writing, and editing.
• Specify in detail what AI was used for.
• Confirm that all AI-assisted outputs were reviewed and revised by the author.

The journal reserves the right to decide on publication based on whether the disclosed AI usage meets its academic publication standards. Disclosure statements will also be shared with peer reviewers.

AI disclosure statements will be requested from all authors, irrespective of the stage of the manuscript.

False AI statements will be considered violative of academic ethics and will result in immediate disqualification of the article.

A Note on Editorial Support

We review manuscripts to primarily assess the originality and rigour of the argument. Editorial Board members will guide the authors on revisions recommended by peer reviewers, while a professional editorial team will work with the author on structure, where necessary, and undertake thorough language editing and proofreading to publish the best possible version of the manuscript.

EDITORS AND PEER REVIEWERS

Editors and peer reviewers must not upload any part of an unpublished manuscript onto an AI tool/software.

Peer reviewers are required to sign a declaration that the review was written entirely by the reviewer and no part of the manuscript was uploaded onto or processed by any AI tool.

Editors and peer reviewers may use AI tools to:

• Conduct exploratory searches for secondary material to understand a concept or field (only akin to a search engine).
• Seek assistance on grammar, vocabulary, or syntax without uploading any part of a manuscript.

All outputs must be reviewed and verified by editors and peer reviewers.

Editors and peer reviewers shall not use AI tools to:

• Outsource editorial judgement.
• Generate peer reviews or editorial reports.