About the Journal

About the Journal

Ras Dejen Journal of Sciences(RDJS)
Welcome to RDJS a biannual, peer‑reviewed, open‑access scientific journal dedicated to promoting excellence in research and knowledge dissemination across the sciences. The journal takes its name from Ethiopia’s iconic peak, Ras Dejen, symbolizing the pursuit of scholarly heights and the quest for knowledge.

Vision and Purpose

In an era where the knowledge and economy are becoming central to national and global development, RDJS plays a key role in enabling universities and research institutions to fulfill their mandates of research, innovation, technology transfer and knowledge‑sharing. Aligned with national policy and the strategic mission of Debark University, the journal enables researchers to publish findings from basic science to applied innovation  that are relevant locally, nationally, and globally.

By providing a robust platform for scholarly exchange, RDJS seeks to:

  • Elevate the quality and impact of scientific research in Ethiopia and the East African region.
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, academics, practitioners and policy‑makers.
  • Encourage the translation of scientific knowledge into policy, practice and innovation.
  • Advance the professional growth of researchers, including early‑career scholars.

Scope and Thematic Focus

RDJS welcomes submissions that contribute to the advancement of knowledge across a diverse array of scientific disciplines, including but not limited to:

  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences
  • Health and Life Sciences
  • Earth and Physical Sciences
  • Engineering, Technology and Innovation
  • Social Sciences and Education (when applied to scientific/technological contexts)
  • Interdisciplinary studies that bridge theory and practice in real‑world contexts

The journal particularly values research that addresses pressing socio‑economic challenges, sustainable development, and resource‑constrained settings.

Article Types

RDJS publishes several types of peer‑reviewed manuscripts, including:

  • Original Research Articles: Full‑length reports of novel empirical or theoretical work with clear aims, methods, results, discussion and implications.
  • Review Articles: Critical, synthetic assessments of the literature that identify gaps and propose future research directions.
  • Short Communications: Concise reports of important new findings or pilot work.
  • Case Studies and Applied Reports: In‑depth analyses of specific contexts, interventions or innovations.
  • Commentaries / Perspectives: Thoughtful reflections or opinion pieces that stimulate debate or advance conceptual thinking.

Each manuscript must adhere to high standards of scholarship, ethics and formatting (see author guidelines).

Editorial Standards and Ethics

RDJS is committed to upholding rigorous editorial and ethical standards, including:

  • A double‑blind peer review process, in which both authors’ and reviewers’ identities are masked to safeguard objectivity and fairness.
  • Strict policies on originality, plagiarism, duplicate submission, and proper attribution of authorship and contributions.
  • Transparency regarding conflicts of interest, funding disclosure, data access and retention.
  • Ethical treatment of human participants, animals or sensitive data, with documented approvals where required.
  • Confidentiality throughout the review and editorial process.

The journal expects authors, reviewers and editors to observe best practices as set out by international scholarly publishing bodies.

Open Access and Copyright

RDJS is an open‑access journal, meaning all published articles are freely available online to readers worldwide, supporting the goal of equitable dissemination of scientific knowledge. There is no article processing charge (APC) for authors.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal a license to publish, distribute and archive the work. Specific license terms (e.g., Creative Commons) will be specified on the journal’s website.

Publication Frequency, Format and Indexing

  • RDJS publishes two issues per year (biannually) in both print (hard copy) and online formats.
  • Each issue will include a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 articles. Special thematic issues may be announced occasionally.
  • All published articles will be assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure citability and digital permanence.
  • The journal is actively working toward inclusion in recognised indexing and abstracting services to increase visibility, credibility and reach.

Submission and Review Workflow

The editorial workflow follows a structured timeline to ensure timely and high‑quality publication:

  1. Preliminary Screening: Editor and staff assess whether submissions meet scope, format and ethical standards (≈ 1 week).
  2. Peer Review: Two external reviewers evaluate manuscripts under double‑blind conditions (≈ 4 weeks).
  3. Revision: Authors receive reviewer comments and are invited to revise their manuscript (≈ 1‑2 weeks).
  4. Final Verification: Editorial Board conducts final checks of revisions, ethics compliance and data (≈ 1 week).
  5. Copyediting and Layout: Language editing, formatting and design of accepted manuscripts (≈ 1 week).
  6. Publication: Article is published online and/or in print.

Authors are encouraged to respond promptly to revision requests. The total process from submission to online publication is typically 11‑12 weeks, though this may vary depending on complexity and revision needs.

Language, Accessibility and Equity

  • The primary language of publication is English, to facilitate global accessibility.
  • In certain circumstances, manuscripts in other languages (e.g., a local language) may be considered if accompanied by a full English abstract and meet the quality criteria.
  • The journal encourages inclusive, bias‑free language in relation to gender, ethnicity, age, disability, socioeconomic status and other demographic variables.

Subscription, Dissemination and Archiving

  • RDJS supports broad dissemination: open‑access online for all, and print copies for subscribers (institutions and individuals) at nominal cost.
  • The journal will be archived in stable digital repositories and comply with good practices in long‑term preservation of scholarly content.
  • Authorized distribution of articles via academic networks, institutional partnerships, social media and conferences is encouraged to increase impact and reach.

Commitment to Growth and Community

RDJS is more than a publication venue, it is a community of scholars, practitioners and students committed to scientific enquiry and societal development. The editorial team invites:

  • Researchers from universities, research institutes, industry and government in Ethiopia and around the world.
  • Graduate students and early career scholars seeking to publish new work and build research profiles.
  • Reviewers, editors and practitioners who are willing to contribute to peer review, mentoring and knowledge exchange.

We view the launch of RDJS as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the scientific ecosystem, advance research capacity in Ethiopia and strengthen linkages between knowledge production and societal progress.

Welcome Message

We welcome you to submit your best work to RDJS, to engage with our rigorous review process, and to contribute to a growing body of scientific knowledge. Together, we aspire to climb to new heights of research excellence  much like the peak of Ras Dejen rises above the landscape and to elevate the impact of science in Ethiopia and beyond.