Did you know that Portland State University’s Honors College has its own academic journal, Anthós? It provides a unique platform for undergraduates to publish research with global reach. We spoke with the publication’s Editor-in-Chief, Lauren Yanase, a History BA/MA student in her final year, about what makes Anthós stand out and how students can get involved.
Established over three decades ago, Anthós has become a distinguished outlet for undergraduates to showcase their academic work. “The journal aims to improve access, education, and opportunities,” Lauren explains. This mission goes beyond publication; it introduces students to the world of scholarly communication and encourages contributions from a wide range of academic disciplines. Unlike creative pieces—which find their home in PSU’s sister journal, Pathos—Anthós publishes work rooted in research, offering students in the Honors College the chance to add to the academic discourse across fields.
While Anthós is multidisciplinary, each piece is carefully reviewed for quality and relevance. “We look for a solid argument and alignment with Anthós’s academic standards,” Lauren shares. Submissions range from conventional topics to innovative studies—one recent article even explores sustainable algae farming techniques in Zanzibar. Although themes are not pre-planned, related topics sometimes arise naturally, like the COVID-19-focused articles during the pandemic.
Inclusivity is central to Anthós’s vision. The team is actively working on formal statements to make the journal even more accessible to diverse voices. “We’d love to see more pieces from underrepresented groups and a variety of cultural perspectives,” Lauren says. She hopes that future issues might feature research utilizing primary sources in other languages, expanding the journal’s reach and reflecting PSU’s commitment to diversity in academia.
Lauren encourages students considering pieces for review not to shy away from the submission process. After Anthós’s single-blind peer review, editors offer constructive feedback to help authors polish their work, with faculty reviewers often suggesting developmental edits. “It’s about whether there’s an argument worth publishing,” she emphasizes, an approach which is balanced between the sensibilities of the editors. Additionally, while submissions in any academic citation style are accepted, the final journal adheres to the Chicago style.
Anthós’s influence is far-reaching with over 100,000 total downloads across continents. In the past year alone, the journal saw 20,000 downloads with readership spanning the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, UK, and beyond. For PSU students, this international readership means their research has the potential to make an impact far beyond campus.
The editorial team has exciting plans for Anthós’s future. Lauren envisions initiatives like “author talks” (still in the rough stages) that might give published students a voice in discussing their work with readers. Additionally, she hopes to increase faculty engagement, encouraging professors to incorporate student-published research into their courses. The journal’s next steps include updating their website to guide new authors through the submission process.
From its digital footprint to giving honors students an introduction to academic publishing, Anthós represents the potential within PSU’s Honors College for impactful work in various fields. For any questions about Anthós, students are encouraged to reach out to the editorial team at anths@pdx.edu.