The call

RESI, in collaboration with UN-OHRLLS, UN-DESA and AOSIS, intends to commission 10 papers in total – two papers on each of the following themes from the SIDS4 preparatory meetings in 2023:

1. Revitalising our economies: new strategies for diversification and growth
2. Transformative action for climate resilience and environmental protection
3. Forging a path to empowerment, equity, inclusion, peaceful societies and safe communities
4. Strengthening institutional and statistical capacity
5. Means of implementation (generating a strong ‘enabling environment’)

RESI invites potential authors – academics and other experts, either as an individual or in small teams – to develop proposals that fit within one of the above themes. A detailed explanation of each theme and some indicative questions to consider can be found in the Call for Papers document below. Proposals that pose alternative questions (within of the five themes) are also welcomed.

What kind of papers are RESI looking for?

The commissioned papers must collectively make a meaningful contribution to advancing the aim of the RESI SIDS Future Forum. Their core purpose is to provide new ideas, evidence and insights in a digestible format for policymakers to help shape thinking on five agendas that have already begun to take thematic shape. On that basis, they will support the development of SIDS4 and the Antigua-Barbuda Accord for SIDS (ABAS) 2024-34.

Papers must be original, thoughtful and forward-looking, with penetrating analyses of key policy problems that will help structure conversations at SIDS4 and, ultimately, the decade that follows. Papers will align with the challenges outlined in the outcome documents of the SIDS regional preparatory meetings, presented in a way that is radical in ambition and focused in extent.

Timeline

The timeline for this process is exceptionally tight. Prospective authors should only tender an application if they can meet the following deadlines and participate fully in the following activities.

Note: Running alongside the paper preparation process is a series of ‘Expert Dialogues’ virtual workshops – one for each of the five themes and an inception workshop. These workshops will a) provide a space where academics and other researchers in the RESI Affiliate network (and beyond) can engage with SIDS stakeholders to discuss the evolving SIDS4 policy agenda and b) act as paper development workshops where authors can receive feedback from RESI Affiliates as they write them. A list of all RESI Affiliates can be found on the RESI homepage.

Authors will be required to attend the Dialogue One workshop as well as the workshop corresponding to their chosen theme, however authors are strongly encouraged to attend all workshops as the outcomes may help then in shaping their own papers. At least one author from each paper (or a representative, if there is more than one author to a paper) must attend the SIDS Future Forum.

How to submit your proposal

To apply, please send the following to [email protected] by 17:00 UK time on Friday 1 November:

1. A brief covering letter explaining your suitability for the role and your experience.
2. A short proposal for your paper (max two pages) that outlines:

• the central question, argument and structure
• an initial synthesis of literature and key debates
• broad methodological approach and datasets use
• empirical examples
• outline recommendations, including consideration of recipients of those recommendations, ideas for scaling up, strategy for overcoming barriers to implementation etc.

1. A two-page CV for each author detailing main employments, relevant publications, grants, consultancies, fellowships etc.

Further information

The below Call for Papers document provides more information on the SIDS Future Forum, the application process, content guidance and details of renumeration. It also provides a full explanation of each of the five themes.