A detailed overview of Hypatia’s review process, including an explanation of the decision categories used by the editors, can be found below.

Rejection without Anonymous Review

All submissions of articles, book review essays, book reviews and Musings are reviewed first by one of Hypatia’s four co-editors. If an editor believes an essay should be rejected without anonymous review, they first send the essay to another co-editor for a second opinion. Only if both co-editors agree is an article rejected. Articles that are rejected without anonymous review receive very little editorial feedback.

Anonymous Peer Review

Articles and uninvited Musings that are not desk rejected are sent out to at least two reviewers for evaluation in a procedure that keeps both the author and the reviewers anonymous. Invited Musings and book review essays that are not desk rejected are sent out to one reviewer for anonymous peer review. For open issues, the co-editor assigned to the essay sends it out for review. For special issues, the special issue editor sends the essay out for review. Book reviews are all invited and are not peer reviewed.

Decision

Every article and uninvited Musing published in Hypatia must have two positive anonymous reviews. Invited Musings and book review essays must have one positive anonymous review. After receiving the referees reports, the co-editor or special issue editor makes one of the following decisions:

• Accept: No revisions are required, the article goes into production immediately.
• Minor Revisions: The revised article will be reviewed only by the co-editor or special issue editor.
• Major Revisions: The revised article will be reviewed by the co-editor or special issue editor and by one anonymous reviewer.
• Reject and Resubmit: An author may choose to resubmit a substantially revised essay that will be reviewed by the co-editor or special issue editor and by two anonymous reviewers for reconsideration. The author is free to submit the essay elsewhere instead of resubmitting to Hypatia.

Appeals

To appeal an editorial decision, please contact the Managing Editor (at [email protected]) and specify the reason for your appeal. 

Your appeal will be reviewed by the Managing Editor and/or an Editor who did not review the manuscript. The final decision regarding your appeal will rest with the HYP Managing Editor and Associate Editors.