For the forthcoming Perspectives in Infant Mental Health full issue (April 2024), we welcome interdisciplinary papers, including papers from practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusivity and belonging in infant mental health practice, research, and policy.
We believe that when people feel respected, and included, they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. While we have more work to do to advance diversity, inclusion and belonging, we are committed to advocating for racial equality in the content we publish and are invested in ensuring that more voices are represented and amplified in moving WAIMH forward in the field of Infant Mental Health.
This focused issue, is an opportunity to share current projects, work programs, experiences related to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within the field, or any endeavours that aim to contribute to ensuring that all infants, their families, and professionals who works with, or on their behalf are represented in the work we do.
As a global organization, it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone is given an equal voice in a world where marginalized groups are still very often discriminated against. WAIMH Perspectives in Infant Mental Health is committed to publishing high-quality diverse, equitable, and inclusive content across its publishing platforms (the full issue publication, the WAIMH webpage, and WAIMH social media platforms).
The Global North has access to resources that propel a particular perspective on infant rearing, attachment relationships, family systems; and there exists a large research and policy base on these assumptions. As a publication, we are committed to addressing biased perceptions within our field of infant mental health that are sustained by the under-acknowledgement of the rich and diverse multi-faceted contexts, and the multi-level unique relationships that infants grow and develop within.
We welcome interdisciplinary papers, including papers from practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusivity and belonging, in infant mental health practice, research, and policy.
Timeline
- Full paper submissions: December 2023 to February 15, 2024
- February 15 – February 25, 2024: Review process
- February 25 – March 25, 2024: All accepted papers to complete review feedback and submit final papers.
- Perspectives issue publication: April 2024
Paper submission guidelines
- Style guide: APA 7th Edition.
- 12-point font.
- 5 or double-spaced.
- Maximum 3000 words, including references.
- All in-text citations, references, tables, and figures are to be in APA 7th edition format.
- Papers with tables and figures. Please submit the paper as a Word-format document with separate files attached for each table and/or figure.
- We welcome photos of babies and families.
- All photos need to be sent in a separate file with a resolution of at least 72 pixels/inch.
- All photos need to include a permission statement from the author for WAIMH to publish the photo in Perspectives and all WAIMH online social media platforms.
Send all submissions to:
Email header: Perspectives diversity and inclusivity and belonging in IMH practice, research and policy
Email to: perspectives@waimh.org
General enquiries
For any general enquiries about this special issue, please direct to:
Maree Foley (Editor-in-Chief Perspectives in Infant Mental Health): email perspectives@waimh.org
