Journal of Development and Communications Studies
ISSN 2305-743 e-ISSN 2305-743
About US
The Journal of Development and Communication Studies (JDCS) is a biannual, peer-reviewed academic journal published by Development Media Consulting. JDCS explores the intersection of communication and human development, providing a platform for scholarly discourse that informs policymakers, students, researchers, and civil society. Our goal is to advance research-based recommendations that drive sustainable development in Malawi, Africa, and globally.
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Focus and Scope
JDCS welcomes original research, conference papers, case studies, and book reviews from scholars worldwide, with special encouragement for contributions from Malawian academics and university students. Our areas of focus include but are not limited to: Communication for development, Media and governance, Public policy and social change, Digital transformation in communication, Health and environmental communication.
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Publication Policy
Open Access: All JDCS content is freely accessible, ensuring global knowledge exchange.
Publication Frequency: JDCS publishes bi-annually,- with an occasional special issue.
Copyright & Licensing: Articles are published under a CC-BY-NC-ND License, allowing unrestricted sharing and adaptation with proper attribution. -
Peer Review Process
JDCS follows a rigorous double-blind peer-review system, ensuring the highest research integrity. The review process includes:Manuscript submission and initial editorial screening - Review by at least two editors for guideline compliance, Evaluation by three independent reviewers for quality and originality and Acceptance, revision requests, or rejection based on reviewer feedback (within 30 days).
Services
We provide a range of services designed to support and empower our community of readers, researchers, and professionals. Whether you are looking for in-depth insights, research support, or publishing opportunities, we have something for you.
Research Publication
JDCS publishes original research, case studies, and literature reviews in: Development communication, Media and governance, Digital technologies in development, Health communication, Environmental communication, Social and political communication.
Manuscript Review & Editing
We provide a comprehensive peer-review process to ensure academic excellence. Our editorial team offers feedback, guidance, and language editing.
Open Access Research
JDCS is committed to free online access, allowing scholars and practitioners worldwide access to research.
Student & Researcher Support
We encourage university students and early-career researchers to submit their work. We provide mentorship on academic writing, research methodologies, and publishing best practices.
Conferences & Academic Events
JDCS organizes seminars, conferences, and panel discussions on development and communication issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What most people are asking
How do I submit my research to JDCS?
Prepare your paper according to our formatting guidelines then send your manuscript through this portal on contacts where there submit journals
Who can submit a paper to JDCS?
JDCS welcomes submissions from researchers, academics, and university students from around the world. Malawian researchers and students are especially encouraged to submit their work.
What types of research does JDCS publish?
JDCS publishes original research, case studies, and literature reviews in areas such as: Development communication, Media and governance, Digital technologies in development, Health communication, Environmental communication, Social and political communication.
Is JDCS an open-access journal?
Yes! JDCS is committed to open-access publishing, meaning that all published research is freely available to readers worldwide without paywalls
What are the formatting requirements for submissions?
Word count: 3,000 – 8,000 words (including references), Referencing style: APA and Abstract: 150-250 words with 4-6 keywords.
Does JDCS charge publication fees?
No, JDCS does not charge authors publication fees. We are committed to providing a platform for researchers to share their work without financial barriers.
Editorial Team
Our editorial team consists of renowned academics and experts in development and communication studies.
Editor-In-Chief
Reviewers & Advisor
Dr Emmanuel K. Ngwainmbi
Department of Mass Communication, Jackson State University, Mississippi, USA engwainmbi@gmail.comDr Robert Agunga
Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, & Leadership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA agunga.1@osu.eduDr Linje Patrick Manyozo
School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia linje.manyozo@rmit.edu.auDr Mufunanji Magalasi
Department of Fine and Performing Arts, University of Malawi, Malawi gurumwtheatre@gmail.comDr Helge Ronning
Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo, Norway helge.ronning@media.uio.noDr Francis Chikunkhuzeni
Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Malawi fchikunkhuzeni@mubas.ac.mwDr Lynette Steenveld
School of Journalism, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa l.steenveld@ru.ac.zaDr Helen Hambly Odame
School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada hhambly@uoguelph.caDr Xu Xiaoge
School of International Communications, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China xiaoge@pmail.ntu.edu.sgDr Fetson Kalua
Department of English Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa kaluafa@unisa.ac.zaDr Peter VonDoepp
Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA Peter.VonDoepp@uvm.eduDr Wiseman Chijere Chirwa
(Retired Prof. of History), Urban Research and Advocacy Centre, Mzuzu, Malawi wisechirwa@yaoo.comContact
Get in Touch with us
Address
P.O. Box 30546, Blantyre 3, Malawi
Call Us
+265 (0) 999 661 156
+265 (0) 888 851 486
Email Us
info@devcomsjounalmw.org