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2026 Earth Ethics Journal

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - SUBMIT BY 10 DECEMBER!

The Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) invites members and friends in the AELA network to submit essays, poetry or artworks to AELA’s 2026 Earth Ethics Journal, an in-house publication that will be made available online (free of charge) by April 2026.

The goal of the publication is to share insights and inspiration about Earth-centred ethics.

The themes for the special journal are inspired by the AELA and AAPAE Conference held in May 2025 “Ethical Futures for People and Planet”. To review a previous AELA publication, please visit AELA’s website and review ‘Earth Ethics Volume 1’. 

JOURNAL THEMES

Submissions are invited that explore the following themes:

  • First Nations ethics, governance and decision making: de-colonised futures and representations.
  • Our ethical obligations to the non-human world: ecocentric governance, rights of nature, earth laws, bioregionalism and human-nature relationships.
  • Technologies of the future for environments of the future: ethical challenges and promises.
  • Caring for others while caring for the planet: the ethical challenges and potential harms of altruism.
  • Whose job is it anyway? Markets, grassroots movements, regulation and law: The role of the private sector, community and governments in building an ethical future.
  • Everyday ethics – changes to ethics and values to ensure, and adapt to, a safe, integrated and livable future.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

  • Due date: 10 December 2025, 5pm AEST
  • Length: people are invited to submit one of the following:
    * essay between 1,000 and 2,000 words
    * poetry up to 1,000 words
    * artworks (photography included)
  • Referencing – we encourage people to write for a general audience, and references can be kept to a maximum of 8 references. The referencing style is Harvard/in text (Author, Year), with a short bibliography at the end.

TIMELINE

  • 10 December 2025 – submissions due (full version of your essay, poetry or artwork).
  • 31 January – Editorial Committee will respond to all submitters, to advise if works have been accepted.
  • 30 March – publication will be made available and launched via online and in person events (to be advised)

EDITORIAL TEAM

  • Dr Michelle Maloney. Michelle is an Earth-centred human being and Co-Founder & National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance. She holds degrees in Law and Political Science, and a PhD in environmental law. For details about Michelle’s publications, public speaking and events, please visit her personal website – www.michellemaloney.au
  • Dr Larelle Bossi.  Larelle is an open water swimmer, ocean lover and busy mumma.  Once an award winning filmmaker, she holds degrees in science, arts, and a PhD in Philosophy. She is currently a Research Fellow with the Institute of Ethics, Governance, and Law at Griffith University, and a member of the Executive of the Australian Association for Professional and Applied Ethics (AAPAE). Larelle was co-organiser of the 2025 AELA/AAPAE Conference.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK

Please EMAIL your work to aela@earthlaws.org.au by 5pm AEST 10 December 2025. Please ensure all essays and poetry are submitted as word documents (not PDF).

FURTHER INFORMATION?

Please email aela@earthlaws.org.au