About the Journal

Aims and scope

The International Journal for Participatory Mapping (IJPM) is an open access and digital exclusive journal that publishes articles by international scholars, junior scholars, graduate students, community organizations and practitioners.

We publish original articles, case studies, and media related to participatory mapping. All materials are made available and distributed under creative commons  licensing.

The journal has two distinct sections. One with an academic focus and rigorous peer review process. A second with a 'community of practice' focus and that utilizes a community review and/or guidance/supervision of the writing process.

About Participatory Mapping

Participatory mapping (PM) refers to the multiple ways humans create and communicate knowledge, experience, and aspirations about the world in maps. A consistent aspiration of PM has been to engage and empower marginalized or under-represented groups in society through the use of spatial technologies. Participatory maps—whether simple or complex—are created for a wide range of human/environment applications such as delineating territorial boundaries, identifying important places that sustain livelihoods and quality of life, mapping biological diversity and ecosystem services, and communicating preferences about future land/marine use. Over the last two decades, the growth and interest in PM has evolved and progressed from diverse application domains (indigenous/rural/community development, urban/regional planning, and environmental/natural resource management/conservation) in recognition of the potential for PM to address complex issues and problems. Applications for participatory mapping methods range from indigenous rights, to smart cities, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

The International Society of Participatory Mapping is a free and open source community that focuses on bridging the gaps between research and practice. Founded in 2017 by Rudo Kemper and Charla M. Burnett, ISPM consists of over 200 members from around the world. The society helps support the journal, coordinate conferences and workshops, and conducts research on all things participatory mapping. 

Publication Review Process

All academic and practitioner based material published in the journal is independently reviewed. Submissions are also accepted from members of the journal staff and editorial board, but the authors play no role in the assessment or editing of their contribution.

Submissions in the peer-reviewed article category undergo double-blind peer review; those accepted for publication must meet the highest standards of scholarship, address important research problems and issues, and appeal to a diverse audience.

Articles should be submitted online using the IJPM template. Each manuscript is reviewed by the editor, one or more members of the editorial board, and at least one external reviewer.

By uploading to the IJPM website, authors agree to not submit the manuscript elsewhere until the editor has reached a decision. Any submitted manuscript must not duplicate substantial portions of previously published material. Any submission found to be published elsewhere will be removed immediately. 

Publication Frequency

IJPM releases two issues annually. Accepted submissions will be posted as soon as they have been copyedited and approved by the committee. Once all articles have been accepted for an issue, the issue will be republished together. 

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.