Following closely on the heels of our last publication, Edition 19: Lost in Translation:  the spaces between understanding and misunderstanding, communication and confusion, original and adapted meaning. Translation—whether linguistic, cultural, or scientific—is never neutral. Something is always transferred, transformed, and inevitably, lost (or perhaps found) in the process. 

Within this issue we seek to explore the concept of translation and boundaries (physical, intellectual, cultural) and what happens when these are crossed, blurred, or translated. We ask you: what does it mean to “translate” an idea, a system, or concept across contexts? What is gained or lost when meaning migrates? Misinterpreted cultural boundaries or a conversation with AI? What does translation reveal about the limits of human understanding? How do boundaries (disciplinary, cultural, national) both protect and constrain meaning?

Writers are encouraged to approach this theme expansively, seeing translation as both metaphor and method. From mistranslated texts to misaligned algorithms, from cross-cultural artworks to chemical synthesis, we welcome explorations of how meaning, intention, and interpretation shift across intrapersonally and interpersonally. 

Sign up here to contribute and check out our submission guidelines here. We are now accepting submissions at our inbox honoursreviewrug@gmail.com, with the deadline set for February 20th, 2026. Extensions are possible, but only through request via our email, honoursreviewrug@gmail.com.

We encourage writers to share research or projects they have previously completed during their time in the Honours College or their main courses, but their work should still generally fit our theme.

We accept: short essays (2500 words), long essays (5000 words), columns (600 words), poems (200 words) and 2D artworks. 

About the magazine:

Once (or twice) a year, we print a compilation of high-quality, peer-reviewed articles in the form of the Honours Review magazine. Each edition examines a shared theme or idea from a multidisciplinary lens, and aims to introduce it to the general public. The journal provides Honours students and University of Groningen students with an opportunity to engage with the academic writing process and get their work published. 

So far, the Honours Review is proud to have produced 18 official editions covering a wide range of disciplines, topics and issues, including interviews from Nobel Laureates and groundbreaking research. You can find the latest edition in the Honours tower, or browse them online through our archive.