Guidelines for Publication in the Debated Topics Forum

The Debated Topics Forum is a venue for constructive, evidence-based discussions about long-debated questions in the 9/11 research community. Please review these guidelines before preparing your paper for submission.

1. Topic Selection

Submissions should be on topics that are currently thought to be contentious or that have widely divergent viewpoints within the 9/11 research community. Diverse perspectives and original ideas are strongly encouraged.

2. Submission Guidelines

• All submissions must be original work, must provide coherent, logical arguments based on evidence, and must provide clear citations for all evidentiary support.
• The tone of the paper must be professional and neutral. Ad hominem attacks and personal criticism of individuals are prohibited.
• Brevity, clarity, and precision are encouraged. The recommended length of a paper is 1,000 to 2,000 words. Please contact the Center in advance if you wish to submit a longer paper, and we can discuss the best approach for your paper.

3. Response Paper Guidelines

• Response papers should strictly address the arguments and evidence presented in the original paper.
• Arguments or evidence unrelated to the topic of the original paper are not permitted in response papers.
• The same submission guidelines mentioned above also apply to response papers.
• Response papers must be submitted within four months of the original paper’s publication.
• Authors other than the original author and the responding author may submit new papers on the same topic. Such submissions will be included under the same topic but they will begin a new thread and will not be part of the thread involving the original author and the responding author.
• In cases where a submission challenges material authored by the International Center for 9/11 Justice or Consensus Points published by the 9/11 Consensus Panel, the Center may elect to publish a response together with the original submission.

4. Reply and Response Process

• The original author will have the opportunity to submit a reply paper to any response papers, and authors of responses will have the opportunity to submit a response to any reply papers.
• Replies and responses to replies must be submitted within three months of the previous paper’s publication.
• The process of reply and response may continue in a threaded manner, all subject to approval by the moderator.
• A discussion will be deemed complete when no reply or response is submitted within the required timeframe.

5. Moderation

• Each submitted paper will be reviewed by the forum moderator, James Gourley.
• If the paper adheres to the guidelines mentioned above, it will be published in the forum.
• The forum moderator reserves the right to reject any paper that in his judgment does not adhere to the guidelines mentioned above.
• The forum moderator reserves the right to end a discussion after two responses and two replies have been published in a thread if he determines that the discussion has reached a natural conclusion. Prior to the two-response and two-reply threshold, publication will be based solely on adherence to the guidelines mentioned above.

6. Respectful Engagement

We are dedicated to maintaining a respectful environment in which all individuals have the opportunity to be heard. We ask that you respect others’ views and consider all perspectives with an open mind.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Center.