Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inventio?

Inventio is the multidisciplinary undergraduate research journal of The Catholic University of America. It aims to identify and disseminate original undergraduate research that best represents the university’s commitment to the academic and Catholic traditions that inform its mission to “discover and impart the truth.” The journal accepts submissions of research in the humanities, theology, philosophy, the arts, and the social sciences written by current students or within two years of their graduation. Inventio is supported by Undergraduate Studies, the University Honors Program, the English Department, and the University Writing Center.

Who is the audience for Inventio? 

Members of the Catholic University community are the primary audience of the journal: students, staff, faculty, and alumni. However, we hope that family and friends will enjoy the work in Inventio, and that it might appeal to everyone invested in undergraduate research.

How can I get a copy of Inventio?

Contact Dr. Taryn Okuma at okuma@cua.edu.

Who can submit to Inventio?

Current undergraduate students or students who have graduated within the past two years of the submission deadline can submit to Inventio.

How will my paper be chosen ?

All submissions will be sent to members of the Faculty Advisory Board to determine, through a blind review process, which papers will be passed on to the Student Editorial Board. The Student Editorial Board will then conduct a second blind review of the papers.

How do I need to format my submission?

Manuscripts should be in the form of an editable text file (.doc, .docx, or .rtf). Papers should not exceed 7500 words (not including notes).

Longer projects such as junior or senior theses are welcome as abridged versions. Submissions should be consistently formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style; if accepted for publication, authors should be prepared to work with the editorial staff to format the paper according to journal standards. For more information regarding submissions click here.

When is the submission deadline?

All submissions for are due by May 15th, except for FYE Phi Beta Kappa Prize submissions, which are due on December 31st.

How long can my submission be?

Papers should not exceed 7500 words (not including notes).

Can my submission include images?

You will need to obtain written permission to use the images before sumbitting to Inventio.  You should also keep in mind that the journal is printed in black and white.

If you are submitting a paper that includes images, you should search first to see if you can find an image that is free of copyright: for example, perhaps it is explicitly given to the public domain or it has a Creative Commons license that allows it to be reproduced for non-commercial purposes.

If you cannot find such an image, then your next step should be to write to the copyright holder to see if you can receive permission to use the image that you need.  If you receive the following grant, then the journal can use the image with your paper:

I grant a free, perpetual non-exclusive license to use [name the work] by [name the artist or copyright owner (if different from the artist)] in Inventio, which is an academic, non-profit journal.

This would only cover publication in the journal itself.  For the included online publication of your paper, you should ask for the following grant:

I grant a free, perpetual non-exclusive license to use [name the work] by [name the artist or copyright owner (if different from the artist)] in Inventio,which is an academic, non-profit journal, in print and online.

Unfortunately, if the copyright holder will only grant you the license to use the work for a fee, Inventio is not able at this time to pay licensing fees. 

Can my submission include charts, graphs, or maps?

Charts, graphs, and maps should be labeled as fig.1 (etc.) in the text and the image should appear at the end of the text before the footnotes. The charts, graphs, and maps should be cited correctly.

How many times can I submit to Inventio?

Students can submit multiple papers per issue. There is no limit to the number of times that a student can submit to Inventio.

How can I join the Student Editorial Board?

Students wishing to join the Student Editorial Board must submit a resume, cover letter, transcript, recommendation form, and writing sample. More information can be found here.

Who can apply to the Student Editorial Board?

Students who are available to enroll in the course UGS/HSLS 328 in the Spring semester on Friday mornings are eligible to apply to the Student Editorial Board.

How many positions can I apply for?

Students can apply for a specific position but have the option of submitting their application to be considered for all available positions.