info About the Journal
The Mindanao State University – Sulu Kissa Journal is a peer-reviewed, open-access, multidisciplinary scholarly publication established to advance the frontiers of knowledge through rigorous, evidence-based research. Published under the auspices of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Innovation of MSU-Sulu, the Kissa Journal stands as the university's primary vehicle for academic discourse, scientific inquiry, and the dissemination of scholarship that is both globally informed and locally grounded.
The word Kissa carries deep cultural resonance in the Tausug intellectual tradition — it speaks of narrative, of story, and of the human impulse to make meaning through careful inquiry. We have chosen this name deliberately. It reflects our conviction that research is not merely a technical exercise, but a human endeavor rooted in place, in culture, and in the urgent realities of the communities we serve. The journal, in this sense, is our institution's contribution to the ongoing story of Mindanao — told not through conflict, but through scholarship.
MSU-Sulu occupies a distinctive geographic and cultural position in the southern Philippines. Situated in the Sulu Archipelago, one of the most ecologically significant and historically complex regions in Southeast Asia, our institution has long engaged with questions that other academic centers have not had to confront as directly — questions of peace and development, of maritime ecology and the Blue Economy, of Islamic governance and jurisprudence, of indigenous knowledge systems, and of the intersection between identity and education. The Kissa Journal creates a formal, internationally recognized channel through which this scholarship can be shared.
We welcome submissions from faculty, researchers, graduate students, and practitioners — from MSU-Sulu, from partner universities across the Philippines, and from the broader global academic community. The journal does not impose geographic or institutional restrictions on authorship. What we do require is methodological rigor, intellectual honesty, and a genuine contribution to knowledge.
The Kissa Journal is committed to the democratization of knowledge. All published manuscripts are made immediately and permanently available to the public at no cost, in keeping with our Diamond Open Access policy.
"The Kissa Journal is not simply a publication outlet. It is a statement of institutional identity — that MSU-Sulu is a research university in the fullest sense, one that takes its responsibility to generate and disseminate knowledge as seriously as its responsibility to teach."
adjust Aims & Scope
The primary aim of the MSU-Sulu Kissa Journal is to provide a high-quality, peer-reviewed platform for original scholarly research across a broad range of academic disciplines.
Core Aims
- check_circle To advance original, evidence-based research across the Social Sciences, Humanities, STEM, Education, and Professional Studies.
- check_circle To amplify scholarship emerging from conflict-affected, post-conflict, and underserved communities, particularly those in the Bangsamoro region and the broader Sulu Archipelago.
- check_circle To contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research that addresses real-world problems with actionable, evidence-driven recommendations.
- check_circle To provide an internationally indexed and accessible publication venue for researchers in institutions that have historically had limited access to high-visibility scholarly outlets.
- check_circle To nurture a culture of research excellence within MSU-Sulu and its partner institutions by maintaining rigorous editorial and review standards.
- check_circle To foster South-South and North-South academic dialogue by welcoming contributions from scholars across different national and institutional contexts.
Thematic Scope
The Kissa Journal adopts a broad, multidisciplinary scope. Papers that bridge disciplinary boundaries and employ mixed or convergent methodologies are especially encouraged.
| Thematic Area | Aligned SDGs & Research Areas |
|---|---|
| Social Equity, Peace & Governance | SDG 5, 10, 16 — Gender equality, conflict transformation, indigenous rights, democratic governance, Islamic jurisprudence, Bangsamoro political development. |
| Education & Human Development | SDG 4 — Curriculum development, inclusive education, higher education policy, indigenous pedagogy, multilingual instruction, assessment frameworks. |
| Economic Development & Livelihoods | SDG 8, 9, 10 — Halal industry and Islamic finance, Blue Economy and fisheries, entrepreneurship, poverty reduction, regional development. |
| Marine & Coastal Resource Management | SDG 14, 15 — Coral reef ecology, seagrass and mangrove conservation, coastal fisheries, marine biodiversity in the Sulu Sea. |
| Climate Change & Environmental Science | SDG 13, 15 — Adaptation and mitigation in island contexts, environmental health, disaster risk reduction, agro-environmental systems. |
| Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics | SDG 9 — Applied sciences, engineering for development, data science, biotechnology, renewable energy, computational research. |
| Health & Well-being | SDG 3 — Community and public health, mental health in conflict-affected communities, health systems, traditional medicine and ethnobotany. |
| Cultural Heritage & Tausug Studies | Interdisciplinary — Tausug language and literature, Islamic art and architecture, oral traditions, archaeological heritage, intangible cultural heritage documentation. |
Types of Manuscripts Accepted
Original Research Articles
Full empirical or theoretical papers presenting new findings and contributing original insights to the literature.
Review Articles
Systematic, narrative, or scoping reviews that synthesize existing research and identify gaps, trends, or emerging frameworks.
Conceptual & Theoretical Papers
Papers that advance theoretical frameworks or conceptual models without necessarily presenting primary empirical data.
Policy Briefs & Research Commentaries
Shorter, evidence-based manuscripts that translate research findings into policy-relevant insights.
Case Studies
In-depth analyses of specific programs, institutions, or phenomena that offer broader scholarly lessons.
Methodological Papers
Papers that introduce, test, or critique research methods and instruments, particularly those adapted for low-resource contexts.
rule Peer Review Process
All submitted manuscripts undergo a structured, double-blind peer review process in which neither the authors nor the reviewers are disclosed to each other. Our target turnaround from submission to first editorial decision is 45 calendar days.
Stage 1: Initial Editorial Screening
The Managing Editor conducts an initial desk review within 7 working days to assess whether the manuscript meets the journal's basic technical and thematic requirements. Manuscripts that fall outside the journal's scope or do not meet minimum formatting requirements will be returned at this stage.
Stage 2: Assignment to Section Editor
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are assigned to the appropriate Section Editor, who identifies and invites a minimum of two (2) qualified peer reviewers from relevant fields.
Stage 3: Double-Blind Peer Review
Reviewers evaluate the manuscript on originality, clarity of research question, methodological rigor, quality of analysis, significance of findings, ethical standards, and quality of academic writing. Reviewers submit evaluations within 30 calendar days.
Stage 4: Editorial Decision
Based on peer review reports, the Section Editor recommends one of: Accept as submitted, Minor revisions, Major revisions, Reject and resubmit, or Reject. The Editor-in-Chief holds final authority on all publication decisions.
Stage 5: Revision and Final Acceptance
Authors invited to revise must submit a point-by-point response letter alongside the revised manuscript with tracked changes. Final acceptance is granted upon satisfactory revision.
Stage 6: Copyediting and Production
Accepted manuscripts are forwarded for copyediting, typesetting, and digital production. Authors review and approve the final page proof before official publication.
gavel Publication Ethics & Malpractice Statement
The MSU-Sulu Kissa Journal adheres to the ethical standards and guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All parties involved in the publication process are expected to adhere to the following standards.
Author Responsibilities
- arrow_right All submitted work must be original and unpublished.
- arrow_right All sources of data, ideas, and text must be fully and accurately cited.
- arrow_right All listed authors must have made substantive intellectual contributions.
- arrow_right Conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
- arrow_right Research involving human participants must have received institutional ethics review (ERB/IRB) approval.
- arrow_right Simultaneous submission to multiple journals is strictly prohibited.
Reviewer Responsibilities
- arrow_right Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents.
- arrow_right Reviews must be conducted objectively and constructively.
- arrow_right Conflicts of interest must be disclosed to the Managing Editor.
- arrow_right Reviewers unable to complete a review within the agreed timeline must notify the Managing Editor immediately.
Editorial Responsibilities
- arrow_right Manuscripts are evaluated solely on scholarly merit, without regard to authors' institutional affiliation, nationality, religion, or gender.
- arrow_right Confidentiality of the review process must be maintained.
- arrow_right Editors with conflicts of interest must recuse themselves.
- arrow_right Allegations of misconduct are investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines.
Plagiarism & Integrity Screening
All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism prior to peer review. A similarity index above 20%, or verbatim passages of more than 40 consecutive words without proper citation, will result in immediate rejection. AI-generated content must be disclosed; AI tools may not be listed as co-authors.
lock_open Open Access Policy
The MSU-Sulu Kissa Journal operates under a Diamond Open Access model. All published content is freely and permanently accessible to any reader anywhere in the world — with no subscription fees, no article processing charges (APCs) for authors, and no embargo periods.
No APCs
Authors pay nothing to publish their work.
No Paywalls
Readers access all content for free, permanently.
No Embargo
Articles are available immediately upon publication.
Creative Commons Licensing
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Users are free to share and adapt the material for any purpose, including commercially, provided appropriate credit is given. Authors retain full copyright of their work.
Author Rights
- check Post the Version of Record in any open institutional repository immediately upon publication.
- check Use the work for teaching, lectures, and presentations.
- check Include the work in future publications such as book chapters, provided the original Kissa Journal publication is cited.
- check Share the work via academic social networks without restriction.
group Editorial Board
The Kissa Journal is governed by an Editorial Board composed of scholars with recognized expertise across the journal's disciplinary scope. Board members serve a renewable two-year term on a voluntary basis.
| Position | Name / Designation | Area of Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Editor-in-Chief | [Name], [Designation], MSU-Sulu | Journal strategy; final publication authority; editorial direction and quality assurance. |
| Managing Editor | [Name], [Designation], MSU-Sulu | Day-to-day operations; submission workflow; author and reviewer communications; production timeline. |
| Section Editor — Social Sciences & Humanities | [Name], [Institution] | Manuscripts in political science, sociology, anthropology, history, culture studies, Islamic governance. |
| Section Editor — STEM & Environmental Science | [Name], [Institution] | Manuscripts in engineering, natural sciences, marine biology, ecology, and applied STEM disciplines. |
| Section Editor — Education & Pedagogy | [Name], [Institution] | Manuscripts on teaching and learning, curriculum development, educational policy, and assessment. |
| Section Editor — Business, Economics & Governance | [Name], [Institution] | Manuscripts on Islamic finance, halal industry, public administration, and economic development. |
| Research Methodology Editor | [Name], [Institution] | Evaluation of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs across all submissions. |
| Language & Text Editor | [Name], [Institution] | Copyediting; standardization of academic English; clarity and readability review. |
| SDG Integration Consultant | [Name], [Institution] | Alignment of published research with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals framework. |
| Digital Metadata & Indexing Editor | [Name], [Institution] | Management of DOIs, OAI-PMH metadata, indexing submissions, and online discoverability. |
Scholars interested in joining the editorial board are encouraged to contact the Managing Editor with a curriculum vitae.
copyright Copyright & Licensing Agreement
By submitting a manuscript and, upon acceptance, signing the author declaration form, the author(s) affirm their understanding of and agreement with the following terms.
1. Retention of Copyright
Authors retain the copyright of their work in its entirety. The MSU-Sulu Kissa Journal does not seek to transfer copyright from authors to the publisher.
2. Grant of License to Publish
The Author(s) grant the Kissa Journal a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to publish, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, and archive the work in digital and print formats.
3. Creative Commons Attribution License
The work will be published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
4. Author Retained Rights
Authors may immediately post the Version of Record in open repositories, use the work for teaching, include it in subsequent publications (with citation), and share via academic networks.
5. Warranties and Representations
Authors warrant that the work is original and unpublished, is not under simultaneous review elsewhere, does not infringe third-party rights, and that all human/animal research has received appropriate ethical clearance.
dataset Indexing & Abstracting
The long-term impact and discoverability of published research depends significantly on where that research is indexed. We are committed to transparency about our current indexing status and our targets.
check_circle Currently Indexed
- verified Philippine E-Journals (PEJ) — National repository managed by CHED
- verified CHED Journal Monitoring System — Aligned with the HEJS evaluation framework
- verified Google Scholar — Articles retrievable upon publication
- verified ROAD — Directory of Open Access Scholarly Resources (ISSN International Centre)
pending Applications in Progress
- schedule DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) — Primary near-term target
- schedule Crossref — DOI registration being finalized
- schedule SCOPUS and Web of Science — Medium-term targets
- schedule ASEAN Citation Index (ACI) — Regional indexing target
ISSN: The MSU-Sulu Kissa Journal has applied for both a print ISSN and an electronic ISSN (eISSN) through the National Library of the Philippines and the ISSN International Centre. These will be prominently displayed upon confirmation.
mail Contact & Editorial Office
The Kissa Journal editorial office operates within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Innovation of Mindanao State University – Sulu.
Address
Jolo, Sulu 7400, Philippines
Editorial Office
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Innovation
Journal Email
kissajournal@msu.edu.ph
Institution
Mindanao State University – Sulu (MSU-Sulu)
Types of Inquiries
- arrow_right Submission inquiries — Questions about manuscript suitability before submission.
- arrow_right Status inquiries — Questions about the progress of a submitted manuscript. Include your manuscript reference number.
- arrow_right Reviewer expressions of interest — Scholars wishing to join our reviewer pool may send a brief bio and list of areas of expertise to the Managing Editor.
- arrow_right Editorial board inquiries — Scholars interested in serving on the Editorial Board.
- arrow_right Institutional partnerships — Universities or organizations interested in partnering for special issues or research dissemination.
We aim to acknowledge all incoming correspondence within three (3) working days.