SPECIAL ISSUE
A special issue focuses on a specific area of research that has a broad appeal and falls within the aims and scope of the journal. A special issue also provides an excellent opportunity to review a particular theme, examine previously unaddressed aspects, propose and develop new approaches, exchange perspectives and encourage new lines of research. Special issues might also be commissioned or proposed to recognize a particular individual's or group's contribution to the field or to commemorate a specific date or occasion.
Benefits of publishing in a special issue
Faster publication times: Special issue articles are often published more quickly than regular articles.
Positive citation impact: Articles published in special issues are often cited more frequently than articles published in regular issues. Special content articles attract 20% more citations in the first 24 months than articles published in regular issues.
Targeted promotion: Articles in special issues are often promoted through the Editorial’s social media channel for the relevant subject areas to increase your issue's visibility and readership.
Rigorous peer review: Special issue articles should be reviewed by no fewer than two independent experts to ensure the quality, originality and novelty of the work published. It is possible read the peer review guidelines here.
World-class editorial teams: Your article in the special issue will benefit from the world-class expertise of its regular editors who will support you alongside the guest editors to make sure you’re publishing the best work possible.
Publish with peers: Harness your network and benefit from multiple expert perspectives on the same issues, leading to synergies and powerful cross-examination of the theme(s) under consideration.
Longer-term impact for your work: It offer longer-term impact as your article collection means readers will easily find your work.
Publish open access: Special content articles published in gold open access journals attract twice as many citations within the first 24 months than regular articles published in the same journal.
Becoming a Guest Editor
Guest editors play an important role in curating high-quality contributions on a particular topic and driving the editorial review process for special issue publications. You can become a Guest Editor in two ways: