Publications Guidelines
For Authors and Contributors — March 2026
Editorial Mission and Independence
South Asia Council for Security Policy (SACSP) is committed to producing independent, non-partisan, and analytically rigorous research on South Asia and its intersections with global affairs. Our publications are guided solely by evidence, scholarly integrity, and policy relevance — not by the positions of funders, governments, or institutional affiliates. We do not advocate for predetermined conclusions. Authors are expected to follow the argument where the evidence leads, present competing perspectives with intellectual honesty, and clearly distinguish analysis from opinion. Contributions that reflect political advocacy, promotional intent, or undisclosed conflicts of interest will not be considered for publication. All research published under our name undergoes editorial review to ensure it meets these standards before release.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research
SACSP recognises that AI tools can meaningfully support the research process when used with discipline and transparency. We permit the principled use of AI for research augmentation – that is, to sharpen, challenge, and stress-test analysis produced by human researchers. This includes using AI to survey and synthesise large bodies of literature, identify gaps or inconsistencies in a draft argument, generate counterpoints and alternative framings for the author to evaluate, and assist with structural editing or clarity of expression.
What we do not permit is the use of AI to generate substantive text, arguments, or analytical conclusions that are then submitted as the author’s own work. The intellectual contribution – the framing of the question, the interpretation of evidence, the normative and contextual judgment, and the conclusions drawn – must originate with the human author. AI is a research instrument in this framework, not a co-author. Authors who use AI tools in any part of their research or drafting process must disclose this in their submission, specifying which tools were used and for what purpose. Undisclosed AI use will be treated as a breach of our editorial standards.