Aims & Scope
What We Publish — and Why It Matters
Nexus Journal welcomes rigorous, original scholarship across nine interdisciplinary thematic areas, united by a shared commitment to sustainable development and real-world impact.
- SDG-Aligned Research
- Multidisciplinary
- Open Access
- Double-Blind Reviewed
- DOI Assigned
Aims of the Journal
Advancing Knowledge Across Disciplines
Nexus Journal was founded on the conviction that the most consequential research rarely sits neatly within a single field. We publish work that crosses disciplinary lines — bringing together engineering rigour with sustainability thinking, AI innovation with social equity, and entrepreneurship with circular economy principles.
Our aim is to serve as a credible, high-quality, and globally visible publishing venue for researchers in Sri Lanka and internationally, with a particular emphasis on applied research that addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We are especially interested in work that has real-world implications — whether through policy recommendations, applied technologies, field-tested interventions, or evidence-based frameworks that practitioners can act on. Purely theoretical contributions are also welcome when they meaningfully advance the field.
Authors from all career stages — postgraduate students, early-career researchers, established academics, and industry practitioners — are warmly encouraged to submit.
Accepted Article Types
Original Research Articles
Full-length studies presenting new empirical or theoretical findings. Typically 5,000–8,000 words excluding references.
Systematic & Literature Reviews
Comprehensive, structured surveys of existing research that synthesise findings and identify research gaps.
Case Studies & Applied Reports
In-depth examinations of real-world projects, interventions, or innovations with broader transferable lessons.
Extended Conference Papers
Substantially expanded versions of papers presented at UNIGAP’s flagship conferences, with at least 50% new content.
Thematic Areas
Nine Domains of Scholarship
We accept submissions across the following interdisciplinary areas. Research that bridges two or more domains is particularly encouraged.
Engineering & Built Environment
Research addressing structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering challenges, with particular interest in the built environment's role in sustainable development.
Artificial Intelligence & Technology
Applications and theory of AI, machine learning, data science, intelligent systems, IoT, and digital transformation across sectors including health, agriculture, education, and governance.
Sustainability & Circular Economy
Research on resource efficiency, waste reduction, renewable energy, climate adaptation and mitigation, life-cycle analysis, and economic models that decouple growth from environmental harm.
Agriculture & Food Systems
Innovation in agri-technology, precision farming, food security, value chain development, climate-smart agriculture, and post-harvest management within regional and global food systems.
Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation
Startup ecosystems, social enterprise, innovation management, SME development, digital business models, impact investment, and entrepreneurial policy in emerging and developing economies.
Biomimicry & Bioinspired Design
Research applying principles drawn from nature — biological systems, organisms, and ecosystems — to solve complex engineering, architectural, materials, and sustainability challenges.
Social Impact & Development
Community development, inclusive education, gender equity, public health, governance reform, poverty alleviation, and qualitative and quantitative approaches to measuring social change.
University–Industry Collaboration
Research on technology transfer, knowledge exchange, applied partnerships, R&D ecosystems, and the mechanisms that translate academic findings into industry-ready innovations and policy.
Interdisciplinary & Emerging Areas
We actively welcome scholarship that bridges two or more of the above domains, or that opens genuinely new fields of inquiry at the intersection of technology, society, environment, and economy.
In Scope & Not in Scope
Is Your Research a Fit?
We particularly welcome…
- Research with clear applied relevance to developing and emerging economies
- Studies that address one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals directly
- Interdisciplinary work that connects two or more of our thematic areas
- Research grounded in Sri Lankan or South Asian contexts with global transferability
- Extended versions of papers presented at UNIGAP conferences (ICSBE, AIMDA, ICBS)
- Collaborative research involving university–industry or international partnerships
- Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies of equivalent rigour
- Practice-based or action research with robust methodological framing
We do not publish…
- Manuscripts previously published in full elsewhere (including conference proceedings without substantial expansion)
- Research that does not meet basic ethical standards for human subjects, animal studies, or environmental data
- Work that lacks a clear methodology or reproducible findings
- Opinion pieces, editorials, or commentary without original research content
- Research outside our thematic scope without a clear interdisciplinary bridge
- Manuscripts with evidence of plagiarism or data fabrication
Unsure if your work fits?
Email the editorial office with a 200-word abstract and we’ll provide a scope assessment within 3 business days — before you invest time in a full submission.
SDG Alignment
Research Aligned with the UN’s Global Agenda
Nexus Journal prioritises research that directly contributes to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Authors are encouraged to identify relevant SDG links in their submissions.
Zero Hunger
Agriculture, food systems, and nutrition research
Quality Education
Inclusive learning, higher education innovation
Decent Work & Growth
Entrepreneurship, employment, and economic policy
Industry & Innovation
Engineering, AI, infrastructure, and R&D
Sustainable Cities
Built environment, urban planning, housing
Climate Action
Sustainability, energy, and climate resilience
Life on Land
Biomimicry, biodiversity, and ecosystem research
Partnerships
University–industry collaboration and global cooperation
Does Your Research Fit? Submit Today.
Open to researchers worldwide. Open access. No barriers to reading your work.