Best Article Award

The Gulf Education and Social Policy Review (GESPR) Best Article Award recognizes an article that exemplifies the journal’s standards for rigorous, contextually grounded, and policy-relevant scholarship in education and social policy in and about the Gulf region As a double-blind peer-reviewed, open access, and bilingual journal focused on education and social policy research in and about the Gulf region, GESPR seeks to advance research that meaningfully informs academic debate, policy development, and professional practice across the GCC and beyond.

The award is intended not only to recognize excellence, but also to signal the qualities of scholarship that best reflect GESPR’s mission and values over time.

Award and Prize

• Official certificate of recognition
• Prize: AED 5,000 (cash prize)
• Featured promotion through GESPR and Al Qasimi Foundation communication channels

Eligibility

All research articles and policy commentaries published in GESPR during the relevant two-year award period are eligible for consideration.   Authors do not need to apply to be considered; eligible publications are automatically reviewed.

Selection Process

The GESPR Best Article Award is made on a biannual basis. Given the journal’s publication volume (approximately 24 articles per year), the biannual cycle ensures a high level of selectivity and allows for careful assessment of contributions across a substantial body of work. The selection process follows a two-stage model designed to ensure fairness, rigor, and credibility.

Editorial Nomination

The GESPR Editors nominate up to ten articles published during the award period that, in their judgment, best meet the award criteria.

Final Assessment

The final award recipient is selected by the GESPR Advisory Board following an independent assessment of the shortlisted articles. Advisory Board members recuse themselves from assessing any articles with which they have a conflict of interest.

This structure separates nomination from final judgment and reflects best practice in journal-based scholarly awards.

Evaluation Criteria

In selecting the award recipient, the committee considers the following criteria:

• Relevance to the Gulf region and contribution to education and/or social policy debates
• Originality and significance of the research questions or arguments
• Methodological rigor and strength of evidence (as appropriate to the article type)
• Clarity and accessibility to interdisciplinary and policy-oriented audiences. Contribution to scholarly and public conversations, including demonstrated or potential influence on research, policy, or practice

Timing and Announcement

The award is conferred every two years and recognizes articles published during the preceding two calendar years. The recipient announced via GESPR and Al Qasimi Foundation channels.