Top Action Tips

for Graduate Researchers and Students

  • Make a commitment.

    Explicitly commit to the SDGs in the journal’s vision or purpose statement. Highlight which of the 17 SDG-related themes the journal is uniquely well-suited to serve.

    Learn the SDGs

  • Give directions.

    Direct prospective authors to clearly indicate any connections between their submission, the SDG-related themes of the journal and any implications for practitioners.

    See: Top Action Tips connecting researchers to practitioners

    Download the PDF

  • Find a connection.

    Ask that reviewers assess how well authors connect their research to advancing one or more SDG. When using reviewer surveys, include specific questions to this effect.

    Make It

  • Check the connection.

    When authors do not explicitly connect their work to relevant SDGs, direct reviewers to request that they do so.

    See: Top Action Tips for academic authors

  • Use keywords.

    Make sure that authors use appropriate keywords that correctly identify the SDG-related themes impacted by the article.

  • Collect data.

    Analyze keyword usage to track journal-level contributions to the SDG-related themes.

  • Self assess.

    Create an annual report that examines journal contributions to the SDG-related themes.

  • Make it an issue.

    Host “special issues” that explicitly advance one or more of the SDG-related themes.

  • Reward success.

    Establish annual awards for significant contributions to the SDG-related themes.

  • Look for impact.

    Alongside typical academic metrics, include measurements of an article’s impact derived from policy, practice and non-academic sources.