Finding the Right Theme:

• Identifying Gaps in Knowledge: Look for emerging areas of research or under-explored aspects within your journal’s scope. Discussions with editorial board members and potential guest editors can help identify these gaps.
• Timeliness and Relevance: Choose a theme that is timely and relevant to the current research landscape. Consider upcoming conferences or major developments within your field.
• Guest Editor Expertise: Select a guest editor (or team) with recognized expertise in the chosen theme. They should have strong communication and editorial skills to oversee the special issue’s development.

Crafting a Compelling Call for Papers:

• Clear Aims and Scope: Clearly define the special issue’s theme, highlighting its contribution to the field. Outline the desired types of manuscripts, such as original research, review articles, or methodological explorations.
• Guest Editor Introduction: Introduce the guest editor(s) and their credentials. This helps build trust and attract relevant submissions.
• Submission Guidelines: Provide clear and concise submission guidelines tailored to the special issue’s theme. Include deadlines, word limits, and any specific formatting requirements.

Managing the Review Process:

• Dedicated Review Pool: Assemble a dedicated review pool for the special issue, consisting of experts in the chosen theme. This ensures a thorough and relevant review process.
• Double-Blind Review: Maintain a double-blind review process where possible to ensure objectivity and fair evaluation of manuscripts.
• Guest Editor Oversight: The guest editor plays a crucial role in managing the review process, assigning manuscripts to reviewers, and ensuring timely completion of reviews.

Curating the Final Issue:

• Maintaining Quality: Work closely with the guest editor to select high-quality manuscripts that align with the special issue’s theme and adhere to the journal’s editorial standards.
• Thematic Cohesion: Ensure the final selection of articles presents a cohesive and comprehensive exploration of the chosen theme. Consider the sequencing of articles to provide a logical flow for readers.
• Special Issue Introduction and Conclusion: The guest editor can write an introduction framing the theme and outlining the contributions of the selected articles. A concluding piece summarizing key findings and future directions can be valuable.

Promoting the Special Issue:

• Dedicated Website Page: Create a landing page on your journal’s website dedicated to the special issue. Include information about the theme, guest editor(s), and a list of accepted articles.
• Social Media Promotion: Utilize social media platforms to promote the special issue, sharing snippets from the introduction, key findings from articles, and author profiles.
• Targeted Email Marketing: Send targeted emails to potential readers and relevant academic societies highlighting the special issue’s theme and its importance to the field.

Publishing special issues demands careful planning, effective communication, and collaboration with the guest editor(s). By following these guidelines, you can ensure your special issue is a valuable resource for researchers, expands your journal’s reach, and strengthens its reputation as a leading platform for groundbreaking research.