The first issue of The Cohen Journal, a new University of Maine student-run political journal, was published on Feb. 16, 2015.

Designed as a forum for the UMaine community on American domestic and foreign policy topics, The Cohen Journal is published by UMaine’s Cohen Institute for Leadership and Public Service.

“The journal promotes and highlights the quality student research found at Maine’s flagship institution for research and higher learning,” Cohen Research Associate Darren Reid said. “When the first issue was finally published, I felt a mixture of pride, relief, apprehension, and excitement.”

As the Cohen Institute’s first research associate, Reid wrote the journal’s proposal 10 months ago, and has since worked closely with the project. In summer 2014, he recruited the journal’s Faculty Advisory Committee, which contains Political Science, International Affairs, English and Honors College staff. A student editorial board was convened last semester, that immediately began soliciting submissions.

“I think the workload of students has a lot to do with it,” Reid said on why there hadn’t been a dedicated political journal before. “I was able to devote a lot more time developing this project, over a longer period, which I think has benefited the final project.”

Since The Cohen Journal is a student-based, peer-review academic journal, submissions are solicited from any UMaine student. These submissions’ relevance to the journal are judged, then assigned to an editorial board member who sought out the expertise of a UMaine or non-UMaine professor. This professor then recommends whether or not the submission should be published, and the editorial board either accepts, revises or declines the submission. This process is designed to ensure the professional quality of The Cohen Journal.

“The fantastic thing about The Cohen Journal is the variety we have to offer,” Reid said. “We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of pieces we received when we first started to solicit submissions. It is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to go on to law school or graduate school.”

The first issue contains an introduction by the journal’s namesake, Former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen along with a legal analysis of UMaine’s firearm ban; a letter regarding Maine’s lobster industry; an article about the American Dream and equal opportunity; and a review of “Interventions: A Life in War and Peace,” a book written by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. The journal is expected to be published biannually.

“I had a great experience writing with the Cohen Journal,” Political Science student Abigail MacDonald said. “I would recommend submitting a paper to the Cohen Journal to anyone looking to get their name out there.”

The Cohen Institute for Leadership and Public Service serves as one of UMaine’s prominent education, outreach and research entities. It is currently conducting research on contemporary Russian-American relations through the Cohen Papers, a series of documents donated by Sen. Cohen chronicling national and international events during his time as Secretary of Defense. The Cohen Journal is the only journal on campus that deals solely with American domestic and foreign policy issues.

“The credit for bringing the first issue to publication goes entirely to Darren [Reid] and the others on the editorial board,” Director of the Cohen Institute for Leadership and Public Service Richard Powell said. “Students gain valuable skills in learning how to do professional research. They will translate into direct benefits for their careers.”

Developing the journal required support from The Cohen Institute, the Political Science Department and the School of Policy and International Affairs. The journal’s editorial board consists of five UMaine students: Senior Editor Samuel Belknap, Assistant Editors Katherine Revello, Jesse Clark, and Robert Potts, and Copy Editor Danielle Walczak.

“The Cohen Journal gives us the opportunity to contribute to the public’s discussion of a wide range of critical issues, all in keeping with the Cohen Institute’s focus on public service that is thoughtful, serious, and civil,” Powell said. “We believe this will be a significant enhancement to the UMaine community and the broader public.”

The journal can be accessed in its entirety on the UMaine Library Digital Commons website.