About the Journal

Focus and Scope

Elements accepts original research completed by Boston College undergraduates in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social Studies. Possible fields include (but are not limited to):

• Humanities: English, History, Classical Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Music, Theater, Fine Arts, Languages
• Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Nursing
• Social Sciences: Communications, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Business, Education, International Studies

Peer Review Process

Elements reviews submissions from the Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences twice a year, during the fall and spring semesters. Articles are evaluated in a blind editorial review process by our board and staff on the quality of their scholarship, originality, and readability.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Additionally, readers do not have to create an account in order to access issues of the journal.

This journal does not charge article processing charges (APCs) or submission charges and there is no embargo period for publication.

Sponsors

The Institute for the Liberal Arts
Office of the Dean for the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences
Center for Teaching Excellence
Boston College Libraries

• Boston College

Journal History

Elements, Boston College’s only undergraduate research journal, was founded in September 2004 by a group of twenty undergraduate students. The journal published its first issue in May of 2005, featuring research articles written by BC undergraduates along with shorter special features. The goal of the publication is to become a forum for the exchange of original ideas within and across disciplines at the university. Staff members read and evaluate all submitted manuscripts and select the best articles on the basis of quality of scholarship as well as readability. Faculty members are occasionally consulted to assist staff members in the evaluation process.

Today Elements is published twice annually and is consistently recognized by the university and the community as a publication of the highest quality. As an organization, we strive to pursue excellence and to bring our organization to the next level at every opportunity. In 2015, we initiated a partnership with BC Libraries and the Center for Teaching Excellence to bring Elements into the next phase of its growth. In collaboration with these hubs of digital scholarship, Elements is in the process of becoming a 21st century journal, representative of emerging trends in undergraduate research and e-scholarship.