The LaB: JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AGAPOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY

The LaB

Submissions

Our Mission

The LaB Journal is dedicated to inspiring and empowering a new generation of leaders from Afro-descendant and marginalised communities worldwide. Through providing the necessary tools to embrace and embody bliss in their lives, we aim to create a ripple effect that influences future generations to do the same. We encourage submissions that merge scholarly depth with practical accessibility, ensuring that research can be applied beyond academia.

As an interdisciplinary journal, The LaB explores the intersections of Positive Psychology, Agapology, and Spirituality, with a strong focus on human flourishing, resilience, and the transformative role of divine love (agape). We welcome contributions from academics, practitioners, and thought leaders who strive to advance both theoretical insights and real-world applications.

The LaB Journal prioritises publishing work that contributes to the flourishing of Afro-descendant communities globally. We seek interdisciplinary interventions that challenge conventional structures and cross-institutional boundaries, welcoming critical scholarship in political economy, critical race studies, decolonial thinking, post-structuralism, and beyond. Contributors should align with and embrace the journal’s ethos as outlined in our manifesto. Our open-access policy, copyright, and licensing terms are available here.

Open Access Policy

All research articles published in the LaB Journal are fully open access. Articles are made freely available at the time of publication, ensuring that anyone—without charge—can read, download, and share the content. In line with the BOAI definition of open access, you may:

  • Read & Download: Access the full texts immediately and at no cost.
  • Copy & Distribute: Make copies, share, or print articles in any medium or format.
  • Search & Link: Easily search within the articles and link directly to the full texts.

Copyright & Licensing Terms

The LaB Journal does not retain copyright over any published material. Instead, all articles are released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, which provides the following freedoms:

You are free to:

  • Share: Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
  • Adapt: Remix, transform, and build upon the material.

These freedoms cannot be revoked as long as you adhere to the following license terms:

  • Attribution:
    You must give appropriate credit to the original author and the LaB Journal, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. This can be done in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
  • NonCommercial:
    You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
  • ShareAlike:
    If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
  • No Additional Restrictions:
    You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Notices:

  • Public Domain & Exceptions:
    You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material that are in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
  • No Warranties:
    No warranties are provided. The license may not grant all the permissions necessary for your intended use, as other rights—such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights—may impose additional limitations.

Submission Policy

The LaB accepts submissions on a rolling basis and publishes two issues annually. Depending on the time of submission and the review process, accepted contributions will be included in one of these issues. Authors may submit individual papers via our online submission portal or propose a special issue by contacting the Editorial Collective at contact@loveandbliss.org. The LaB does not charge authors for submissions.

To submit your work, click the “Submit a Paper” button below. If you encounter any issues, please contact us at contact@loveandbliss.org.

SUBMIT PAPER

Types of Contributions

The journal is organised into four sections. The first two sections feature substantive original works that undergo a double-blind peer review by both academic and activist reviewers. The latter two sections follow a more open, dialogical format and are not peer-reviewed. Each issue is introduced with an editorial by The LaB’s issue editors.

  1. The LaB Press – Focuses on critical analysis and theoretical contributions. Articles should propose theoretical innovation and conceptual clarity through speculative, case-specific, or comparative arguments. (Maximum 9,000 words, including references, excluding images.)
  2. Retrospectives – Provides detailed historical reconstructions of movements, organisations, and activist interventions. Papers should demonstrate historical depth and accuracy. (Maximum 9,000 words, including references, excluding images.)
  3. Conversations – Features collective reflections on activism and organising strategies. Contributions explore challenges and successes in organising practices. (Maximum 6,000 words per intervention.)
  4. Updates – Includes reviews, provocations, and reports on current developments. Contributions may include book and film reviews, art critiques, and updates on activist initiatives. (Maximum 1,500 words per entry.)

The LaB also invites proposals for thematic special issues. Those interested should submit a 1,500-word proposal including their name(s), affiliation(s), special issue title, a content table with author names, and a summary outlining its relevance to The LaB Journal. Proposals should be sent to contact@loveandbliss.org.

Style Guide

The LaB Journal provides a style guide to assist authors in preparing their submissions in accordance with journal standards. While adherence is not a prerequisite for acceptance, following the guide streamlines the editorial process and reduces the likelihood of revision requests. Formatting guidelines, referencing styles, and structural expectations are detailed in our official style guide, which can be accessed here.

Peer Review Process The LaB Journal employs a rigorous double-blind peer review model to ensure high-quality scholarship and radical insight. The review process follows these steps:

  • Editorial Assessment: The editorial team evaluates submissions for quality and alignment with The LaB’s mission. Articles that do not meet quality standards or align with the journal’s manifesto may be desk rejected.
  • Peer Review: Accepted manuscripts are assigned to at least two peer reviewers, including one academic and one activist or scholar-activist.
  • Revisions & Final Decision: Based on reviewer feedback, authors may be asked to make major or minor revisions or may receive an acceptance decision.
  • Final Review & Publication: Once resubmitted, the editorial team assesses the final version, potentially requesting additional revisions before publication.

Publication Timeline

The LaB Journal publishes two issues per year, one in April/May and another in October/November. The recommended submission deadlines are:

  • For inclusion in the April issue, submit by August of the previous year.
  • For inclusion in the October issue, submit by February of the same year.

The full review and production process typically takes around eight months, including:

  • Editorial assessment
  • Double-blind peer review
  • Author revisions
  • Final review and editorial comments
  • Production of proofs
  • Proofreading and final corrections
  • Publication

Timelines may vary based on content type and required revisions.

SUBMIT PAPER