STATUTES OF THE SPANISH JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION
PREAMBLE
The Revista Española de Desarrollo y Cooperación (REDC) (ISSN 1137-8875: M 21909-1997) is a periodic scientific publication edited by Ediciones Complutense and affiliated with the University Institute for Development and Cooperation (IUDC-UCM). It was founded in 1997 and is published biannually (two issues per year). REDC provides a space for analysis and reflection on development and international cooperation from a multidisciplinary perspective. Its content includes research and technological development studies, creation and innovation, and descriptions and analyses of the state of the art on development and cooperation issues that help enrich knowledge in these fields. Articles may be of the following types: empirical studies (quantitative or qualitative), theoretical studies (historical, philosophical, etc.), reviews, and field experiences. Any of these may be addressed from a multidisciplinary perspective. The main language of the journal is Spanish, but articles in English and other languages may be published when thematically appropriate. It also publishes book reviews.
1. MANAGEMENT BODIES
The management bodies responsible for the scientific coordination and publication of the journal are the Editorial Board and the Advisory Board. All members of these boards commit to respecting the principles of the Code of Ethics established by Ediciones Complutense for scientific journals.
1.1. Editorial Board: Structure and Composition
• The Editorial Board shall consist of a co-directorship, a secretariat, and 8–10 board members. The co-directorship position must be held by two active teaching staff members contractually affiliated with UCM, with at least one of them affiliated with IUDC. At least one-third of the board members must belong to institutions other than the Complutense University of Madrid.
• The Editorial Board shall assist the co-directorship in all functions, especially in monitoring submissions (receipt, evaluation, acceptance), and in defining the journal’s content and style (drafting guidelines for submission, creation and direction of sections, etc.).
• The co-directorship shall be appointed by the Institute Council from among proposals received during the call for editorial and management projects. The call shall specify the evaluation criteria for selecting among the proposals.
• The Secretariat shall be directly appointed by the co-directorship.
• The remaining Editorial Board members shall be appointed by the Institute Council based on proposals from the co-directorship. If necessary, elections will be held in three rounds to vote on the candidates for each role: one for the Complutense University members and another for external members.
• All members shall be appointed for a 4-year term and may only be reappointed for one additional 4-year term.
1.1.1. Duties of the Co-Directorship
• Coordinate and represent the journal and manage relations with the Editorial Board, Advisory Board, and Ediciones Complutense. Also manage relationships with other institutions on matters related to the journal.
• Appoint the Secretariat.
• Convene meetings of the Editorial Board.
• Report to the Institute Council on the journal’s operation and needs.
• Ensure the highest scientific quality of the journal and its inclusion in national and international databases, as well as in quality seal evaluations, with the support of the Editorial Board.
• Cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie during Editorial Board deliberations.
• Plan the journal’s annual publication schedule.
• Assist in preparing reviewer lists for each issue.
• Review the terms of reference for the open call for papers for each issue in coordination with the Secretariat. • Review layouts/proofs/galleys with the support of the Secretariat.
• Oversee proper management of the publication process (editing, layout, and release).
• Draft and update the editorial guidelines in coordination with the Secretariat.
• For issues with a guest editor (or monograph coordinator), two Editorial Board members may be selected for closer collaboration.
1.1.2. Duties of the Secretariat
• Manage the reception of manuscripts and their evaluation and publication process.
• Serve as the point of contact with authors, Editorial Board members, Advisory Board members, and Ediciones Complutense.
• Acknowledge receipt of all manuscripts to their authors.
• Organize the initial review of submissions by the Editorial Board to decide which will proceed to peer review and which will be returned, ensuring compliance with journal requirements.
• Forward manuscripts to reviewers with instructions and an evaluation form.
• Communicate final decisions and justifications to authors after evaluation.
• Oversee the full editorial process (manuscript reception, external reviews, revisions and editing, sending proofs, final review, publication management, and notification).
•Prepare and minute Editorial Board meetings and maintain custody of records; certify the work of board members, scientific advisors, and reviewers.
• Assist the co-directorship in journal promotion, institutional relations, exchanges, indexing, and any activity that enhances quality and recognition.
• In coordination with the co-directorship, draft and update editorial guidelines as necessary.
1.1.3. Duties of the Editorial Board Members
• Attend all convened meetings.
• Assist the Secretariat in preliminary manuscript reviews to determine which proceed to peer review.
• Help identify external reviewers for submissions but do not act as reviewers themselves.
• Advise and support the co-directorship in all tasks needed to ensure the journal’s effective operation, including monitoring punctuality and regular publication.
1.2. Advisory Board
• The Advisory Board will consist of reputable and well-established professionals and researchers, without institutional ties to the journal. Its role is to contribute rigor, guide editorial policy to appeal to both authors and readers, and promote the journal across relevant forums. It will also assist in evaluations and audits.
• It must include professionals and researchers from foreign institutions.
• Members may participate in the evaluation of manuscripts as external reviewers, although at least one reviewer per submission must be external to the Advisory Board.
• Membership will be renewed based on the journal’s academic needs.
• Members are selected and proposed by the co-directorship based on academic and professional trajectories aligned with the journal’s focus. The co-directorship may receive applications from interested professionals and researchers.
2. CHARACTERISTICS AND OPERATION
2.1. Periodicity
The journal is published biannually (two issues per year). Additionally, special issues may be proposed to Ediciones Complutense for exceptional publication.
2.2. Structure
The journal consists of the following sections:
Monograph
This fixed section includes original research studies on a monographic topic. It only accepts unpublished work, not previously or simultaneously published. Researchers may submit empirical studies using primary or secondary data, employing any scientific methodology (REDC has no preference). It also includes systematic reviews on relevant development and cooperation topics, as well as rigorous historical, philosophical, or comparative studies.
Miscellaneous
This variable section includes original research that meets the same standards as the monograph section but does not fit its topic. It appears only when relevant submissions are received at the time of publication.
Reviews
This section features critical, evaluative reviews of books on development and cooperation published in various languages. It is also a variable section. Each review must highlight the book’s importance, relevance, and usefulness for researchers or professionals in the field. Reviewers may choose the most appropriate structure (e.g., chapter-by-chapter or thematic blocks). Reviews must include full bibliographic data (APA style) at the beginning and author information on the last page. Maximum length: 1,000 words. Reviews are evaluated by the Editorial Board.
