Focus and Scope
El Río: A Student Research Journal is an interdisciplinary, peer review, student-run research journal housed at Colorado State University Pueblo. El Río focuses on publishing outstanding original scholarly work by students from any academic field housed at Colorado State University Pueblo: humanities; behavioral sciences; social sciences; natural sciences; applied/health sciences; and arts and media. Creative Writing is the only field not considered at El Río. Students considering submitting a creative writing project are instead encouraged to submit their work to Tempered Steel. El Río accepts manuscripts written in both English and Spanish. Authors must be current CSU Pueblo undergraduate or graduate students, or recent graduates. The support of a faculty member/mentor is required to submit. Typical submissions include Honors theses, original compositions, and empirical research conducted by undergraduate or Master’s level students.
Please review the submission guidelines carefully to ensure the manuscript complies with all journal requirements prior to submission.
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Deadline: El Rio is on a rolling submission calendar. There is no deadline for submission! All manuscripts go through a blind peer review process with expected publication of accepted manuscripts in the semester following their acceptance.
Interested in becoming a student peer reviewer for El Rio? All students of Colorado State University Pueblo are eligible to be El Río reviewers. Faculty are also encouraged to apply as experts in their field that can advise student reviewers. Being a peer reviewer is a manageable time commitment that provides a valuable service for the student-led, student-built journal. If interested or with questions, please contact Steven Liebel (steven.liebel@csupueblo.edu).
Peer Review Process
Prior to submission, all students are required to have their work reviewed by a CSU Pueblo faculty member.
All submissions are processed through a blind review assigned by the Section Editor to one or more discipline-knowledgeable students, and one faculty member. At the Editor’s discretion, we may request names of possible reviewers.
Please keep in mind that your submission must not have been published elsewhere, nor should it be under submission in whole or in part with any other journal or publication outlet.
Submission implies that all authors have read and agree to its content, order of authors, and that any human or animal research has received formal institutional vetting and approval.
Publication Frequency
This journal publishes two issues per year. The journal accepts submissions year-round.
Open Access Policy
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to acknowledge, promote, and disseminate high-quality student research that shapes discourse and fosters understanding.
Volumes and Sections
The journal publishes two volumes per year with multiple issues and special editions appearing as needed.
We also will consider suggestions for special dedicated editions such as a collection of papers from a local student conference. The Editorial Board makes all final decisions on such requests.
Policy on Faculty Co-Authorship
The journal recognizes that students in some disciplines may conduct research under the direction of a faculty member. Students should consult with their faculty member prior to submitting a manuscript to determine if co-authorship is appropriate and to establish author order.
El Río accepts faculty as co-authors on manuscripts as long as:
- The first/corresponding author is a CSU Pueblo student or recent graduate
- The first/corresponding author takes responsibility for all communications, revisions, edits, and proofs
Office Annual Calendar
El Rio accepts manuscript submissions on a year round basis for review. The office staff take a break during the summer. Any submissions that are submitted over the summer will be given consideration as soon as the Fall semester begins.
