About the Journal
A public home for responsible design.
Design for Humanity Journal is a biannual, open-access initiative of Fordham University's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs.
Where humanitarian practice, design, research and lived experience meet.
01 / Why
Neither a conventional academic journal alone nor a lightly curated magazine.
D4HJ combines research, field practice, visual inquiry, dialogue and critical resources, using review routes appropriate to each form. It values evidence, ethical responsibility, practical transfer and honest treatment of limitations.
The aim is not to celebrate design as a solution in itself. It is to examine how systems, services and spaces are shaped—and how they can be reshaped with greater dignity, participation and practical value.
Editorial value
Ask more of the case study.
Whose knowledge counted?
Who could refuse or redirect?
What did the design make harder?
What changed—and how do we know?
What can another context responsibly adapt?
Editorial model
One journal. Several routes to rigour.
Proposal review
Relevance, distinctiveness, evidence, practical value, responsibility, feasibility and issue balance.
Format-fit development
Guidance suited to research, practice, dialogue, visual work, emerging voices or resources.
Appropriate review
Editorial review for all; selected community commentary; optional scholarly peer review for selected research.
Open publication
Accessible digital-first publication with no submission or publication fee.
Institutional home
IIHA · Fordham University
The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs advances humanitarian education, research and dialogue across professional, academic and community perspectives. D4HJ builds on the Design for Humanity Initiative created with IOM and its network of collaborators.
FORDHAMInstitute of International
Humanitarian Affairs
Humanitarian Affairs
Issue 01