The James G. Martin Center runs daily website commentary and is happy to accept unsolicited pitches. We are especially interested in short, focused articles that explain what higher education developments mean for states, taxpayers, students, and universities. 

We strongly prefer pitches for articles of 600-800 words. These pieces should make one clear argument, respond to a timely development, or explain a specific policy issue in plain language. We will also consider longer, Friday articles of 1,200-1,600 words. These pieces may also focus on the historical developments, political and/or educational philosophies, and big questions that matter to higher education. 

What We’re Looking For:

While we will consider all article formats, the following represent a subset of the most successful pitches:

  • What [National Development] Means for the States
     Ex: What the New Accreditation Proposals Mean for the States
  • State Reform Spotlights and Case Studies
     Ex: How Indiana Reformed Tenure
  • What Can History Tell Us About [Higher Education Issue]?
     Ex: What the History of Accreditation Can Teach Us About Today’s Reform Efforts
  • Lessons (Both Good and Bad) from [Program or Policy in a State]
     Ex: What Other States Can Learn from Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship
  • State Policy Explainers
     Ex: How Performance Funding Works

Strong submissions are clear, focused, and evidence-driven. They not only tell readers what is happening, but also explain why it matters and what universities, policymakers, and the general public should take away from it. 

We pay a $100 honorarium for short articles. For longer pieces, we pay $200 with bonuses based on web traffic. Have a good idea? Email pitches—or full drafts—to Gary Frankel.