Special Issues

Any proposed special issue must fit the journal's aims and scope. The editorial office considers proposals describing the topic, scholarly rationale, proposed editors, relevant expertise, anticipated article types, and a realistic schedule. A proposal does not constitute acceptance of an issue or of its articles.

Editorial control

Special issue manuscripts follow the journal's published article-type requirements, ethics policies, and peer review process. Guest editors disclose competing interests and follow the same confidentiality and impartiality requirements as regular editors. An independent editor handles manuscripts authored by a guest editor or another person with whom the handler has a conflict. The journal retains final authority over acceptance and may appoint another handler or discontinue a proposal if standards are not met.

Any special issue will be clearly identified, with guest editor names and affiliations published only after appointment is confirmed. Authors must be informed of the applicable charge and waiver rules before submission. A special issue does not create a separate payment route or exemption unless the journal explicitly publishes one.