Post-publication support for authors

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Introduction

This page provides guidance, opportunities, and post-publication support for authors. It also outlines ways research can be extended beyond academic publishing into practice, policy, and community impact. Authors are encouraged to view publication as one stage in a wider knowledge-sharing journey.

Corrections and post-publication changes

At this stage, articles are considered published and stable.

  • Minor changes are generally not possible after publication
  • Exceptional corrections may be considered where there are major factual errors
  • Incorrect or missing author details
  • Critical omissions affecting meaning or attribution

All requests will be reviewed carefully on a case-by-case basis.

DOI activation and indexing

  • DOI activation is managed through AJOL (African Journals Online), not directly by the journal office
  • DOI processing may take up to three weeks after publication
  • Articles are expected to appear on the AJOL database within approximately one week of publication upload
  • Full indexing becomes active once AJOL completes processing

Ethical responsibility and community feedback

In line with Mtandao principles and the SAN Code of Ethics:

  • Authors are encouraged to return research findings to participating communities
  • Sharing results is an ethical responsibility grounded in reciprocity and accountability
  • Communities should benefit directly from the knowledge they contributed to generating

This step strengthens trust, relevance, and decolonised knowledge practice.

Translating research into real-world impact

Published research can and should extend beyond academic readership. Authors are encouraged to translate findings into practical and policy-relevant outputs such as:

  • Policy briefs for organisations, governments, and NGOs
  • Inputs into community development programmes
  • Indigenous governance and leadership decision-making processes
  • National and regional legislation
  • Continental and global policy frameworks

This ensures research contributes meaningfully to social transformation.

Making research accessible beyond academia

To widen impact, authors may translate their work into accessible and community-friendly formats, including:

  • Community reports and simplified summaries
  • Local language translations
  • Posters, flyers, and visual summaries
  • Infographics and charts
  • Videos, podcasts, and short documentaries
  • Songs, storytelling, and oral knowledge sharing
  • Teaching tools such as quizzes, flashcards, and learning activities
  • Slides for workshops and training sessions
  • Data tables and shared datasets for reuse and analysis

These formats support inclusion, accessibility, and knowledge equity.

Presentation and knowledge sharing support

Authors are welcome to engage further with dissemination opportunities, including:

  • Presenting research to Mtandao members and wider networks
  • Organising webinars, seminars, and community dialogues
  • Sharing findings with universities, professional bodies, and policy stakeholders

Support can be provided for structuring and delivering presentations where needed.

Expanding your academic and publishing pathway

We encourage authors to continue engaging with our broader publishing ecosystem. Opportunities include:

  • Submitting book chapters or full book proposals
  • Joining editorial teams as editors
  • Serving as peer reviewers
  • Publishing in other journals within our network

Our journals

You are welcome to submit another manuscript to any of our journals which are:

African Journal of Social Work (AJSW)

People Centred – Journal of Development Administration (JDA)

Journal of Social Issues in Non-Communicable Conditions and Disability (SINCCD)

Journal of Ubuntu (JoU)

Ujamaa Review of Decolonising Pedagogy and Indigenous Research (upcoming)

Special issue development

Authors interested in extending collaborative work may consider:

  • Leading or co-leading a special issue
  • Developing thematic calls for papers
  • Working with editorial teams on structure, peer review, and timelines

Support is available for authors who wish to take this pathway forward.

Digital dissemination and visibility

To increase the reach and visibility of published work, authors are encouraged to share research via:

  • Google Scholar
  • ResearchGate
  • Academia.edu
  • University repositories
  • LinkedIn
  • X (Twitter)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok (where appropriate and relevant)

Authors should ensure compliance with journal sharing policies when distributing content online.

Research can also be shared in local and institutional spaces such as:

  • Community noticeboards
  • Schools, universities, and workplaces
  • Professional associations and networks

Closing note

We value the contribution of all authors and research teams. Publication is not an endpoint but part of a wider journey of knowledge sharing, community engagement, and social impact. We look forward to continued collaboration across our journals and networks.