UCET blog submission guidelines and process

Submission Guidelines

The UCET Teacher Education blog welcomes submissions from all members of the Teacher Education community. Our aims are to foster constructive dialogue and share diverse perspectives on teacher education for a broad education audience. All submissions should be evidence-based and focus on substantive issues related to teacher education. Submissions should also reflect the aims and purposes of the blog, including the principles of the IBTE (UCET 2020)

Content Categories

We welcome submissions, which may be single or co-authored from colleagues from all HE institutions that are members of UCET, including those that may have been written in collaboration with someone outside the HE sector (e.g. a school partner). Submissions might be in the following categories:

• Insights from research
• Opinion pieces
• Responses to current policies
• Experiences as a teacher educator
• Reflections on current practices

Please note that there should be a maximum of three co-authors with others being acknowledged as appropriate.

Blog Requirements

• Word count: around 750 words including references
• Language: clear and suitable for an international readership, explaining UK-specific teacher education contexts when necessary. Avoid technical jargon and minimise acronyms. The language of the blog is English
• Tone: inclusive and non-derogatory, avoiding content belittling or attacking persons and groups
• Format: Microsoft Word or compatible format
• Referencing: use minimal references (only those essential to support key points) and follow APA citation style. Hyperlink to open access sources where possible, avoiding profane, obscene or illegal material or sites that knowingly violate intellectual property rights.
• Images: relevant, copyright-free
• Biography: provide a brief biography (50-100 words) and a photo. For co-authored submissions please provide a photo of all authors and a short biography of each author. Please note that there should be a maximum of three co-authors with others being acknowledged as appropriate. Alternatively, if there are more than 3 co-authors a team photo should be submitted with a team biography of 100-150 words. By providing us with your photograph, you consent to this being hosted and displayed on the UCET website.
• Keywords: Please indicate at the top of your blog, which of the following topic keywords are relevant to your submission:
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • Equality and Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
  • Early Years (EY)
  • Further Education (FE)
  • International (I)
  • Primary (Pri)
  • Research (Res)
  • Secondary (Sec)
  • Teacher Education (TE)
• Posting: With your permission, we will post a copy of your blog on the UCET website and also on our LinkedIn account, if you have a user profile. If you would like us to remove your blog at any time, please let us know by email at: info@ucet.ac.uk

We know that authors will have undertaken rigorous proofreading prior to final submission but if any errors/typos are noticed as the blog is prepared for publication we reserve the right to amend and reassure that nothing substantive would be amended without discussion with the author.

Submission process

Initially you are asked to complete a submission request form using this link.

On this form you are asked for some basic information and also given the options below to indicate what stage you are at with your blog contribution:

• I have written a blog I would like to submit for review
• I have a draft blog I would like support with developing
• I have an idea for a blog post that I would like to discuss with somebody

The next steps of the submission process will depend on your response to the above, as follows:

• If you indicate that you have written a blog and are ready to submit this for review you will receive an email to acknowledge receipt of your form, with instructions on how to submit your completed blog. Your submission will be initially considered by a panel made up of the editorial board to ensure it meets the submission guidelines, and then we will begin a process of constructive peer review. This will involve either an initial online meeting with two members of the review board to discuss your post and agree on next steps or, if the blog requires very few amendments, you will be put in touch with someone from the review board to liaise with to finalise the blog.
• If you indicate that you would like support with developing your blog or have an idea for a blog that you would like to discuss you will receive an email to acknowledge receipt of your form. We will also put you in touch with one or two members of the review board who is able to support you with the next steps.