Thank you for your interest in contributing to Understanding Ageing. We welcome contributors who share our commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based, and accessible content exploring ageing, longevity, health, society, policy, and the lived experience of growing older.
These guidelines explain how we work and what we expect from contributors. They help ensure that all published content meets the editorial standards our readers rely on.
What We Publish
Understanding Ageing covers a broad range of topics related to ageing and later life, including:
- Healthy ageing and wellbeing
- Longevity research and scientific developments
- Dementia and cognitive health
- Social care and healthcare systems
- Ageing and technology
- Retirement, employment, and financial wellbeing
- Intergenerational relationships and society
- Public health and policy developments
- Accessibility and inclusive design
- Patient, caregiver, and lived experience perspectives
- Research, advocacy, and community initiatives
We welcome contributions from researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, academics, advocates, carers, policy specialists, and individuals with relevant lived experience.
All content must be factual, balanced, respectful, and supported by reputable sources where appropriate.
Writing Style
Our aim is to make complex information clear, accessible, and meaningful to a broad audience.
Contributors should:
- Write in plain English
- Avoid unnecessary jargon and explain specialist terminology
- Maintain scientific and factual accuracy without oversimplifying
- Use a professional, balanced, and respectful tone
- Structure articles clearly with headings and logical flow
- Provide context that helps readers understand why the topic matters
- Avoid sensationalism or fear-based language
We value clarity, precision, and thoughtful analysis.
Accuracy and Sources
Accuracy is central to our editorial approach.
Contributors are expected to:
- Use reputable and verifiable sources
- Reference peer reviewed journals, academic institutions, healthcare organisations, regulatory bodies, government publications, and recognised professional associations where relevant
- Verify statistics, claims, and terminology carefully
- Distinguish clearly between evidence, interpretation, and opinion
- Clarify when findings are preliminary or emerging
- Avoid exaggeration or unsupported conclusions
If a claim cannot be verified, it should not appear in the article.
Medical and Health Content
Many topics related to ageing involve health, wellbeing, and medical research.
Contributors must:
- Avoid presenting content as personalised medical advice
- Ensure health-related claims are evidence-based
- Acknowledge uncertainty where appropriate
- Encourage readers to seek professional medical guidance when necessary
- Avoid promoting unverified treatments, supplements, or interventions
Content should inform and educate rather than diagnose or prescribe.
Originality and Integrity
All submissions must be original work.
We do not accept:
- Plagiarised material
- Unverified AI-generated content
- Promotional or advertorial articles
- Hidden marketing or affiliate-driven content
- Misleading claims or manipulated data
AI tools may assist with drafting or formatting, but contributors remain fully responsible for verifying and editing all content before submission.
Conflicts of Interest
Contributors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including:
- Employment or consultancy relationships
- Industry funding or sponsorship
- Financial interests related to the topic
- Personal involvement in studies, organisations, or commercial products discussed
Where a significant conflict exists, we may decide not to publish the article or may assign the topic elsewhere.
Structure and Length
Articles should generally include:
- A clear and informative headline
- A concise introduction
- Logical sections with subheadings
- A concluding summary or “why this matters” section
- Relevant links to supporting sources where appropriate
Typical article length ranges from 900 to 1800 words, depending on the topic and format.
Images and Media
If submitting images, graphics, or charts:
- Ensure you have permission to use them
- Provide attribution where required
- Prefer original visuals, public domain assets, or properly licensed material
- Avoid copyrighted content unless permission has been secured
The editorial team may replace or edit visuals to maintain consistency across the platform.
Submission Process
The typical process is:
- Submit a short pitch or topic proposal
- Await approval from the editorial team
- Draft the article following these guidelines
- Submit the completed article by email or through the contributor system
- Undergo editorial review and revisions if required
- Receive final approval before publication
We may decline submissions that do not align with our editorial standards or mission.
Editing
All content undergoes editorial review to ensure:
- Accuracy
- Clarity
- Appropriate tone
- Structural consistency
- Readability
- Compliance with editorial standards
The editorial team may adjust headlines, formatting, structure, and wording while preserving the core meaning of the article.
Corrections and Updates
If errors are identified after publication, contributors should notify the editorial team promptly.
We are committed to transparent corrections and updating articles when new evidence or developments emerge.
Becoming a Regular Contributor
Contributors who consistently provide high-quality, accurate, and well-researched work may be invited to become regular contributors.
Regular contributors may receive:
- A dedicated author profile
- A biography and photograph
- Links to published articles
- Opportunities to contribute to ongoing editorial initiatives
Understanding Ageing
Understanding Ageing aims to make information about ageing, health, longevity, and society more accessible, balanced, and evidence-based. Through thoughtful reporting and clear communication, we help readers better understand the realities, challenges, and opportunities associated with ageing in modern society.
