About The Dispatch

Our Story

The Oxford Diplomatic Dispatch was founded by Jack Twyman and Joey Andrews in 2023 and has since grown rapidly into a popular and well-respected publication. A regular, short-piece electronic publication, the Dispatch consists of opinion and analysis pieces focused on international affairs and diplomacy. From its inception, the Dispatch aimed to provide a platform for unique, innovative, and atypical perspectives from voices across the University and beyond. While initially organised around set themes, the Dispatch expanded its scope in late 2023 by appointing Regional Editors who ensure comprehensive coverage of all regions worldwide. This structure has brought great variety to the Dispatch and ensured it stays true to its original mission: to provide a space for all perspectives on international affairs to be welcome at Oxford University.

How we work

Any student at the University of Oxford can contribute a written piece to be published alongside expert guest writers from their respective professional fields.

Selected articles are published on our website in the digital magazine and advertised on the Society’s social media platforms. Three editions of The Dispatch are published each term, with deadlines falling at the end of Week 1, 4 and 8.

Our team of regional editors gives The Dispatch a broad scope and ensures every part of the world is represented. The regions are as follows:

If you are interested in writing for us, please email oxdiplodispatch@gmail.com with your idea and outline (which can be as developed/underdeveloped as you like). Please include your full name, degree, and college in the email. We actively encourage divergent and atypical perspectives on international topics.

Following this, we will ask for a submission of around 500-1,000 words with a deadline to make the next edition. To feature in the next edition, please follow our Instagram (@oxford_diplomatic_dispatch) and stay tuned for updates.

FAQs

Who can write?

Current students at the University of Oxford can submit pieces for publication. The student does not need to be studying a specific degree and can be undergraduate, post-graduate or DPhil level.

Who are the guest contributors?

Previous Guest Contributors include:

  • Tom Cargill, Chief Executive of Walton Park and The British Foreign Policy Group.

  • Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable, Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

  • Kishore Mahbubani, Former President of the UN Security Council.

  • Lord Ricketts, Veteran British diplomat of 40 years and now crossbench peer.

Where will my work be published?

Selected articles are published on our website in the digital magazine and advertised on the Society’s social media platforms.

Who do I contact to write?

If you are interested in writing for us, please contact the editors at oxdiplodispatch@gmail.com, including your idea and outline (which can be as developed/underdeveloped as you like). We actively encourage divergent and atypical perspectives on international topics. Please include your full name, degree, and college in the email. 

How long does my piece need to be?

We ask for a submissions to be between 500-1,000 words.