***Note to Authors: please make sure your contact address information is clearly visible on the outside of all packages you are sending to Editors.***

Local Economy welcomes contributions for the four main sections of the Journal:

1. Viewpoints: punchy, polemic, readable commentaries on up-to-date issues (2000 words)

2. Features: peer-reviewed articles on any aspect of local economic policy (up to 4000 words). Issues covered include:

• Urban and rural issues
• Local and regional analysis
• Area-based initiatives
• Local Governance
• Regeneration and partnerships
• 'Race' and exclusion
• Employment and skills
• Business development
• Gender and local economies
• Social exclusion and economic policy
• Local evaluation

 Local Economy gives preference to well-written and researched articles which, while grounded in practice, offer more general insights and contributions to theory. Articles that engage with debates about current policy issues and which provide timely, up-to-date critique and/or suggestions to enhance policy effectiveness are welcomed. We particularly like to see contributions from those working directly in the field in the UK and abroad.

Local Economy publishes articles which provide rich description and analysis of local issues, which will 'ring bells' for others engaged in similar local project work. Local Economy is particularly interested in articles which would be of interest to readers across the full policy community and which balance critique with proposals for change.

3. New Initiatives: An edited (but not peer reviewed) collection of shorter pieces which collectively cover a theme in local economic development. The more descriptive a piece is, the more suitable it is likely to be for New Initiatives.

Recent New Initiatives have included:

• Culture and regeneration
• Job rotation
• Universities and Local Economic Development
• The social economy

We welcome proposals for themes to be edited by Guest Editors.

4. Reviews and Review Essays: keeping you up to date with recent publications and reports.

5. Free article access: Corresponding authors can receive 50 free reprints, free online access to their article through our website (www.informaworld.com) and a complimentary copy of the issue containing their article. Complimentary reprints are available through Rightslink® and additional reprints can be ordered through Rightslink® when proofs are received. If you have any queries, please contact our reprints department at reprints@tandf.co.uk

Special Issue: Local Economy also welcomes suggestions for special issues (one a year); which again draw together a Viewpoint and a number of Features and New Initiatives on a particular theme. Guest Editors are welcome to put forward proposals for such editions.

In the first instance please submit three copies of a synopsis to: