Contributing to the LAC Unit Blog

We welcome contributions from LAC Unit members and affiliates. To obtain an account please email the editorial team.

Post types

• Reviews: Posts can review books, articles, conferences, seminars and other related works/events. The main aim of a review post is to critically examine the reviewed work/event in terms of its contribution to research, teaching and professionals in the field. We suggest contributors contact the editorial team before writing a review to avoid duplicate works. Should this happen, contributors are invited to collaborate on the post or explore different perspectives to review the same work/event.
• Insights: These are posts where contributors can engage in current topics and issues related to crime and citizen security in Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim is to provide a research-based opinion or comment on a particular topic of relevance to the LAC security community. The topics and issues explored can be wide ranging, but should be related to crime and security research, teaching and control in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. Note that personal unbiased opinions are welcome, but these need to be thoroughly justified by the academic literature and/or your own research.
• Research development: Posts in this category explore ongoing research projects by covering, for example, an introduction to the research, its relationship to the literature, a broad overview of the research design, updates on field work or experiments, and dissemination efforts such as publications or conferences derived from the research. Note that unpublished results and other similar material should not be posted (especially if they are part of an assessed work or if they are being considered for publication elsewhere).
• Learning experience and professional development: These posts are for students in our degree and professional development programmes to reflect on their learning experience. For example, students may discuss how their modules have shaped or expanded their knowledge of crime and security, or could explore how knowledge and techniques they have acquired in modules from other domains can be applied to their field. Note that it is not permitted to post module material nor works that count towards your assessments.
• Practical crime analysis: These posts discuss or explain how to carry out certain analytical tasks. For example, they can demonstrate how to use a type of software to carry out crime analysis, or can discuss the pros and cons of a particular technique.

Access

Log in with your UCL user ID and password.

Writing a post

Once logged in, click the dashboard under JDI LAC blog. On the left-hand menu, click posts, and add new.

Please keep in mind the views and opinions you share will be in the public domain. The editorial team reserves the right to refuse posts if these are found to be in breach of UCL policies or if they are not aligned with the aims of the blog.

Here are some guidelines to assist you, please refer to these each time you to write a post.

• Language: be aware that these posts are not strictly an academic publication. We encourage bloggers to be informal and cater to a wide audience. Avoid jargon and acronyms and strive for clarity and conciseness. Prioritise key information and use short paragraphs and subheadings. If you do use acronyms and abbreviations, make sure you spell them out before referring to them in their short form.
• Word Count: Blog posts should be between 600-1200 words.
• References: As for referencing style, we prefer hyperlinks to sources whenever possible, but should you want to reference academic sources and include a reference list, you can use APA style.
• Images: Make sure you have the appropriate permissions and rights to use any image. Do not use copyrighted content without the owner’s permission. There are many public domain or creative commons licensed material that can be used with proper attribution. For photographs you have taken yourself, obtain release forms (here soon) from anybody pictured in them. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to contact the editorial team for advice. You will not be able to upload photos yourself, as only administrators can do so; please send all photos with your specifications to the managing editor).
• Tags: Please add appropriate tags to categorise your post. To add a tag, see the list on the right-hand side. Try and use the ones that are available, but feel free to add new tags if needed.
• Restrictions: Make sure you have permission to write about and take photos of events. Do not post content, in any format, that you don’t have the rights to use. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden; make sure you use quotations and references to point out any material that isn’t your own. Refer to UCL guidelines on the use of promotional images for more information.
• Disclaimer: At the bottom of the post, add a short description of who you are as well as the following disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog post are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of UCL, the Department of Security and Crime Science or the JDI LAC Unit.
• Publishing: To submit your post, click save draft and publish. Then, one of the administrators will review your post before publishing. You can save your draft and come back to it as many times as you want before submitting it.