About the Journal
In 2004, students from Mount Allison University launched the Atlantic Journal of International Studies, also known as ATLIS. The journal was to serve as a platform for undergraduate students in Atlantic Canada to publish the work they are passionate about. ATLIS is meant to open the academic debate for the contributions of young scholars in various disciplines, including International Relations, Political Science, History, Geography, and more. Students can not only have their papers published as articles but also have the option of supporting the organization by becoming Editors, Peer-Reviewers, and collaborators, all of which are excellent ways of gaining valuable academic experience students typically do not acquire through traditional coursework. With the guidance of Mount Allison’s precious faculty members has grown to become an established part of the academic environment at the school. By joining Open Journal Sources in 2026 ATLIS opens an even greater selection of doors for Atlantic Canadians who have something to add to the international studies debate.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ATLIS:
Founding and Early Years
The ATLIS project began in 2003, with its first volume being released in the Spring of 2004. Initial volumes give an idea of the themes that dominated the political debate at the time in the minds of undergraduate students in Atlantic Canada, like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the political turmoil in Venezuela, the rise of green and gender politics, and the many questions about the viability of liberal democracy in the long run. Many of these topics remain relevant to this day, and while ATLIS has changed its visual identity a few times, early and recent volumes speak to one another quite well.
Consolidation and Hiatus
Over the years, ATLIS shifted from being primarily a hard-copy journal to having more of a digital presence. With time, a website was designed, where copies of new volumes could be accessed with ease. Facebook and Instagram accounts were also created, where students could more closely engage with the journal. Volumes continued to explore global issues related to human rights, climate change, democracy, and war.
Revival and the Future
After troubling Covid years, ATLIS ended the 2025 academic year without publishing a volume. In the following year, Mount Allison students came together to re-launch the journal. During this time, support from faculty and library staff was pivotal in gathering the necessary resources to put together a new volume. In line with the major socio-political changes experienced across the globe, volume 19.2 of ATLIS launched a new era for the journal. Now, more than ever, the journal has immense resources and support to lead the way for undergraduate scholars of Atlantic Canada to share their discoveries and engage with the academic debate in meaningful ways. Joining Open Journal Sources in 2026 further consolidates this process by broadening ATLIS’ presence in the digital academic world and allowing students and researchers outside the journal’s home region to more easily access articles.
Article Migration
Volumes 3 & 4 of ATLIS were originally available in HTML format only. This has changed as the journal moves into OJS. New editions of the two volumes have been uploaded following a similar format as ATLIS’ most recent publications.
ATLIS’ Many Names
Throughout the years, the journal has been referred to by many different names, including Atlantic International Studies Journal, Atlantic International Studies Organization, and even Atlantic International Studies Organization Journal. Since volume 15 (2020), editors have opted for the now-established Atlantic Journal of International Studies (ATLIS) title.
ATLIS’ Iconic Logo
Despite what can be seen as a soft rebrand, ATLIS decided to keep the iconic logo everyone knows it by and designed by Gabrielle Johnson in 2018 by Gabrielle Johnson.
