About the journal

A student journal built around revision.

Open Margin is a student-led, open-access journal for research by authors of any age. We publish work in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM.

Ask, "Will this be accepted?" Then ask, "What would make this argument stronger?"

Open Margin is a volunteer-run project in Washington. Students can send work from a class, independent study, capstone, or mentorship. They receive an editorial read.

We publish work in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. We review specialized STEM papers only when a suitable editor or advisor is available.

Editorial commitments

No fees

There is no submission, publication, membership, or fast-review fee.

Comments should help

A decision matters. The notes should help the author write the next draft.

Students run it

Student editors run the journal. Academic advisors help with hard decisions, calibration, and work outside the team's expertise.

Rules in the open

Our rubric, policies, timelines, and yearly statistics stay on the site.

The rules are public

Editorial policies

Authorship and originalityRead policy Peer review, conflicts and appealsRead policy Research with peopleRead policy Corrections and retractionsRead policy Copyright and licensingRead policy Privacy and guardian consentRead policy Use of generative AIRead policy