Submissions Form

Author Guidelines

  • Types of Submissions

    Articles for The CTRL Beat should be conversational or anecdotal in style and use first-person narrative. While we encourage evidence-based insights, articles for The Beat should combine research and best practices with personal experience. If academic/scholarly jargon is used, terms should be defined, and the writer should not assume disciplinary or instructional expertise.

    We encourage submissions related to the following topics:

    Teaching Practice

    • Online/in-person/hybrid learning
    • Inclusive pedagogy
    • Student-centered instructional strategies (e.g. flipped classrooms, active learning)
    • Assessment
    • Use of technology for student engagement

    Research and Scholarship

    • Quantitative and qualitative research practices and methodologies
    • Experiences in conducting research
    • Connecting or integrating research to teaching/learning

    Professional Development

    • Experiences with conferences, workshops, or trainings
    • Student advising and mentorship
    • University programming
    • AU policy in practice

    This list is not exhaustive, and we welcome new ideas and contributions that align with CTRL’s mission to promote excellence in teaching and scholarship across disciplines. If you have an idea or proposal or would like to adapt an existing conference presentation, speech, or resource, please reach out to our editorial staff at ctrl@american.edu.

  • General Guidelines

    • Post length: 800–1500 words, depending on examples and graphics
    • Paragraph length: short to medium (100–200 words)
    • Audience/tone: As you are conversing with peers, the tone should be conversational/anecdotal. However, since diverse disciplines are represented, if academic/scholarly jargon is used, terms should be defined and concepts explained.
    • Citations: APA formatting
    • Include a short author profile (25–50 words)
    • Include a reference section and “Further Reading” section with 1-3 suggested readings or other related media/links
    • Images, tables, and graphs (optional):
      • Maximum: 2
      • Pixel ratio: 400 x 400 (maximum)
      • Format: jpeg, jpg, or png
      • Should include alternative text

    Most deadlines for The CTRL Beat are flexible and submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Contact the editorial team at ctrl@american.edu if you need an extension on a full draft submission.