Full Strategic Framework

“To become a leading platform for advancing innovative, interdisciplinary, and culturally grounded research in social sciences that contributes to knowledge creation, policy development, and sustainable social transformation locally and at regional level.”

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Mission

The Arghand Journal of Social Sciences (AJSS) strives to:

  • Publish high-quality, peer-reviewed research that addresses contemporary social challenges.
  • Promote academic discourse that bridges local knowledge and global theories.
  • Support the academic and professional growth of scholars, particularly in conflict-affected and developing regions.
  • Foster ethical, inclusive, and impactful scholarship in the field of social sciences.

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Core Values

  1. Academic Excellence – Commitment to publishing rigorous, peer-reviewed research of the highest quality.
  2. Integrity and Ethics – Upholding transparency, fairness, and academic honesty in all publishing practices.
  3. Inclusivity – Providing a platform for diverse voices, especially underrepresented groups and early-career researchers.
  4. Innovation – Embracing interdisciplinary approaches and digital innovations in academic publishing.
  5. Relevance – Focusing on research that addresses real-world issues and contributes to social and policy transformation.
  6. Collaboration – Encouraging partnerships between local and international researchers and institutions.

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Strategic Goals (5 Years)

Goal 1: Enhance AJSS’s Academic Standing and Visibility

  • Secure indexing in international databases (e.g., Scopus, DOAJ, Google Scholar).
  • Achieve recognition as a reputable source of social science scholarship in the region.

Goal 2: Foster Inclusive and Diverse Research Contributions

  • Actively solicit submissions from female scholars, young researchers, and regional academics.
  • Host annual writing workshops to build local academic capacity.

Goal 3: Strengthen Editorial and Review Processes

  • Develop and enforce a rigorous double-blind peer-review system.
  • Build a strong, diverse editorial board including international experts.

Goal 4: Leverage Digital Platforms for Wider Reach

  • Transition to an open-access publishing model.
  • Develop an interactive, user-friendly journal website with advanced search and archive features.

Goal 5: Promote Interdisciplinary and Policy-Relevant Research

  • Prioritize publications that offer innovative insights into governance, education, economics, gender studies, and post-conflict reconstruction.
  • Encourage collaborations with policymakers and practitioners.

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Strategic Objectives

  1. Publish two biannual issues consistently every year with high-quality research papers.
  2. Establish a digital submission and review system to streamline operations.
  3. Develop partnerships with national and international universities for joint publications and special issues.
  4. Organize annual academic conferences to showcase research published in AJSS.
  5. Ensure all published work adheres to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
  6. Create a mentorship program for emerging scholars to guide them in publishing.

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Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • Number of submissions and acceptance rate.
  • Diversity of author pool (gender, country, institutional affiliation).
  • Indexing status in international databases.
  • Citation counts and journal impact factor over time.
  • Reader and download statistics from the AJSS website.

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Long-Term Impact

AJSS will evolve into a globally respected journal that not only advances academic scholarship but also influences policy, governance, and community-level change in Afghanistan and beyond.