An interview with the Co-Editors in Chief of ATLIS and Dave Thomas
The Atlantic Journal of International Studies (ATLIS) is back at Mt.A. ATLIS is an interdisciplinary academic journal that publishes peer-reviewed undergraduate work. It has been a “forum for the exchange of ideas” since 2003, with a break in the 2024-2025 year.
Co-Editors-in-Chief Pedro Santana and Sadie Shelly have restarted the journal, with the guidance of Dr. Dave Thomas, Head of the Politics Department. ATLIS is scheduled for publication in 2026. The theme for the 2026 volume is “A Global Renaissance.” Submissions may include, but are not limited to, ideas such as reform and revolution, human rights, power politics, governance and global trade, the enmeshment of arts and sciences, cultural and political identity, capitalism and multipolarity, socio-economic inequalities, and modern political philosophy.
Santana said the theme “Global Renaissance” was significant, representing the new beginning of the journal as well as “the idea that the world is changing, no matter what you talk about.” Santana highlighted whether the ideas and issues a student chooses to write about are environmental, political, or economic, significant change is taking place.
Shelly explained the benefits of submitting papers to ATLIS for students, saying it is “a really big benefit to say that you have been published in something,” and underlined, “it is a big deal for an undergraduate student.” Santana added, “it is good that even as an undergraduate student, [students] get to contribute with [their] own research and have recognition for their work.”
When looking at a more personal level of publishing work, Shelly said, “it can be a fun and rewarding experience to go through the process,” and explained that a published paper shows students their work can be “recognized for the value it has,” with a broader reach.
Dave Thomas, a professor in the Politics department encouraged students to submit their papers as well, saying it can look good on a resume and CV if a student’s paper gets published. Moreover, Thomas said, “going through the process of peer-review is a really enriching and usually rewarding experience for both the peer reviewers and for the people being peer reviewed.” Referring to the feedback system at the University, he said students often get feedback solely from professors, and it may not always be extensive. Comparing this system to that of peer review, Thomas said, “here’s a process where you can hear some pretty engaged and rigorous feedback from one of your peers.”
Submissions must be original works not under consideration for publication elsewhere, 1,500 words or longer, double-spaced, 12 point font Times New Roman, written in English, and in Microsoft Word file format. Submissions from all disciplines are welcome, and students may submit multiple papers, including papers written for class. Shelly highlighted the characters of the writers as well, saying the criteria is “about the willingness of how communicative the writers are after submission,” detailing the editing process and responsibility after a student’s paper is accepted.
To submit a paper, students must fill out the ATLIS 2026 Submission Form available on atlis.wordpress.com or at the ATLIS Instagram page @mta_atlis. Submissions are currently open and close on Dec. 24, 2025, at midnight AST. Peer reviewer applications opened on Dec.1, 2025, and will close on Jan. 26, 2025, at midnight AST.
The journal is planned to be published around the end of March or the beginning of April, 2026. Shelly and Santana also revealed an event they are planning, a social event towards the end of the process to celebrate the success of students who submitted their papers, peer reviewers, advisors and professors who were part of the process.
If you have any questions, please contact the Co-Editors in Chief, Pedro Santana @ [email protected] and Sadie Shelly @ [email protected].