Call

CALL FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALCALÁ FOR THE PUBLICATION OF OPINION ARTICLES AND VIDEOS IN IELAT

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The University Institute for Research in Latin American Studies (IELAT) of the University of Alcalá invites academics, social leaders, representatives of NGOs, human rights defenders, university students and other key actors to participate in the creation of content for its digital dissemination space, the IELAT observatory: https://observatorio.ielat.com/

This space is intended for the publication of short opinion articles accompanied by short videos explaining the content of the article. All this in order to promote debate and critical reflection on issues of relevance to Latin America and Europe.

Thematic

Articles that address current issues for Latin America and Europe will be accepted, for example:
✔ Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law
✔ Economy and sustainability.
✔ Migrations.
✔ Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples.
✔ Relations between the United States of America, Latin America and Europe.
✔ Ibero-American cultural representations in literature and cinema.
✔ Cultural analysis with a gender and decolonial perspective.

Forms of Participation
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1. OPINION ARTICLES. Opinion articles must meet the following formal and academic criteria to ensure their quality, argumentative rigor and relevance within the IELAT dissemination space:

A) Length: The articles should be between 800 and 1,200 words long, thus allowing a deep development of the topic without losing clarity or conciseness. This extension is suitable for presenting reasoned reflections, case analyses or substantiated proposals, promoting accessibility to diverse audiences without compromising academic rigor.
B) Format: Texts must be sent in Word format (.doc or .docx) with a typographic presentation in Calibri or Times New Roman font, size 12, 1.5 line spacing, and standard margins. The format must ensure the legibility and structural coherence of the document, making it easier to review and edit it.
C) Language: Although it is recommended that texts be submitted in Spanish, other languages such as English, French or Portuguese may be used.
D) Approach: The articles must present a critical reflection, case analysis or substantiated proposals on issues of relevance to Latin America and Europe. The argument must be based on theoretical and empirical approaches that support the proposed positions. The use of interdisciplinary approaches that allow a comprehensive understanding of the issues addressed will be valued.
E) Authorship: Both individual and co-authored contributions will be accepted, encouraging a diversity of perspectives and academic collaborations. In the case of co-authors, the degree of participation of each author in the preparation of the article must be specified.
F) Inclusion of bibliographic references: Although the format of the opinion article allows for a freer style than traditional scientific articles, the use of bibliographic references is recommended if previous studies, theories or data relevant to the argument are mentioned. References must follow a standardized citation system (APA), ensuring the transparency and traceability of the information used.

2. SHORT VIDEOS. As a complement to the opinion pieces, participants should submit a short video that summarizes and reinforces the relevance of the topic covered in their article. This audiovisual material will expand the impact and reach of the publication, adapting to more dynamic and accessible communication formats for a diverse audience:

A) Length: The maximum length of the video will be three minutes. A clear and well-organized structure is recommended, in which the purpose and relevance of the topic addressed in the article are effectively presented. The length should be sufficient to state the key points without diluting the message or losing the public's attention.
B) Content: The video must provide a concise and argued explanation of the “why” and “for what” of the topic developed in the article. The author is expected to explain the importance of the problem analyzed, its implications and possible solutions or perspectives, highlighting its relevance in the context of Latin America and Europe. Expository clarity, conceptual rigor and connection with social reality will be fundamental criteria in evaluating content.
C) Technical Requirements: To ensure the quality of the audiovisual production, the video must meet the following minimum technical standards.
D) Image: Minimum resolution of 720p (HD), with a stable and well-illuminated visual composition. It is recommended to avoid the use of distracting or inappropriate funds.
E) Audio: Clarity and clarity in the voice recording, without background noises that interfere with understanding the message. The use of an external microphone is suggested if necessary.
F) Format: Videos in MP4, MOV or AVI format will be accepted, with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (horizontal), suitable for publication on digital platforms and social networks.

CALENDAR

Submission deadline: July 15, 2025.
Communication of the selected proposals: October 15, 2025.
Publication of the selected articles: starting in November 2025.7.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Interested parties should send their article and video to: coordinacion.ielat@uah.es, with the subject “Call for Opinion Article - Author's Name”.