Governance and Democracy
Painting by Cate Gransaull
Who has a seat at the table? How are you represented? Now more than ever, true democracy is eroding, and along with it, public trust and a collective sense of responsibility. Institutions seem harder to bargain and reason with; who is benefitting from this? In what ways can we socially transform democracy and the way we govern?
How do you, or can you advocate and govern in the interests of others? What means can governance and democracy properly produce a functioning institution? What stifles democracy, how do we mend the cracks?
In this special edition of the SHIFT Journal, we’re inviting pieces in all written formats (fiction, non-fiction, editorial, opinion) to examine and address the various ways democracy and governance affect us individually or as an ecosystem. Pieces may focus on personal interactions, brushes, contradictions with or opinions on governance and democracy, either locally concerned, or globally.
We look forward to reading your work!
Please submit by November 11th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Submission Guidelines
In this special edition of the SHIFT Journal, we’re inviting pieces in all written formats (fiction, non-fiction, editorial, opinion). Pieces must be focused either on the experience of journalism and/or content creation in specifically Montreal or Quebec, or the sector more broadly.
- 650-1250 words
- English or French submissions welcomed
- Writer must be based in Montreal, and particularly prioritize pieces about Montreal and/or Quebec
- We provide some priority to Concordia students, faculty, staff, and alumni
- We are open to receiving original or pre-published works
- Each accepted publication will receive an honorarium of $75