Special Issues

Open invitation

Propose a Special Issue

The Journal of Evolving Stem Cell Research welcomes proposals for focused collections that address important questions in stem cell biology, experimental systems, differentiation and fate, and carefully evaluated translation.

Researchers with relevant expertise are invited to review the proposal requirements below and contact the editorial office. Proposals are assessed on the scientific case for the collection and on the standing of the proposed guest editors in the subject.

Contact the editorial office Aims and Scope

What a proposal should contain

Proposal requirements

• Subject and rationaleThe question the collection addresses and why it is worth assembling now, stated in terms a reader outside the immediate specialty can follow.
• Fit with the journalHow the collection sits within the journal's remit, and which registers of evidence it expects to draw on.
• Guest editorsNames, affiliations and relevant publications for each proposed guest editor, with a statement of any competing interests.
• Expected contributionsThe kinds of article the collection would contain and, where known, the groups likely to contribute.
• TimelineA proposed period for submissions and assembly, agreed with the editorial office rather than announced in advance.

How a collection is run

Guest editing and independence

The same standards apply

Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal. A manuscript submitted to a collection is assessed exactly as any other submission.

The same review model

Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request. Manuscripts that proceed to external peer review are normally evaluated by at least two independent subject-matter experts.

Guest editors and their own work

A guest editor who submits to their own collection takes no part in the handling of that manuscript, which is assigned independently by the editorial office.

Competing interests

Guest editors declare interests in the subject and in the contributing groups, and withdraw from handling any manuscript where an interest exists.

Terms of publication

Articles in a collection are published open access under CC BY 4.0, and the article processing charge and withdrawal terms are the journal's usual ones.