Submit a special issue proposal to Journal of Avian Biology!

Is there an emerging research area that you would like to highlight or an existing research topic where new approaches and concepts are being developed? Are you organizing/have you recently organized a symposium or workshop that has addressed new trends or controversies in your field? Would you like to gain editorial experience as a guest editor for one of the top-ranked ornithological journals?

Journal of Avian Biology is seeking Special Issue proposals. Special Issues usually consist of a combination of novel research papers, reviews and commentaries, thus advancing the theory and synthesis behind a research topic as well as highlighting new results. Special Issues are intended for a wider audience and receive increased visibility through targeted promotion.

The editorial board is inviting especially early career researchers to submit Special Issue proposals. Being a guest editor for a Special Issue is a great way to gain editorial experience, strengthen the academic profile and network with like-minded colleagues. Guest editors are backed up by the journal’s editorial board and receive dedicated support from the editorial office.

Criteria for proposals: 

  • The topic of the Special Issue should be in-scope for the journal, timely and of broad interest to the community. 
  • Proposed Special issues highlight novel research, review and synthesize the current state of the topic and, if possible, discuss important avenues of future research. 
  • Proposals should contain a statement of how guest editors intend to ensure a balance of geographical spread and author gender. We are not looking for proposals that intend to summarize the author’s own contributions to the field.  

A proposal should briefly outline the reasons why the topic is interesting to readers of Journal of Avian Biology (maximum 500 words). Special Issues contain between 5 and 10 articles that provide good coverage of the topic. Proposals should briefly describe the types of articles which are envisioned in the Special Issue and how they match with the above criteria. Proposals should also contain a list of potential contributors. We do not expect that authors have been approached before submission of the proposal, but you are welcome to do so if you wish. 

To submit a proposal or to make an informal enquiry please contact the managing editor Michael Tobler at jab [at] oikosoffice [dot] lu [dot] se. All submitted proposals are reviewed by the journal’s editorial board, who have the final decision on whether a Special Issue proposal is approved.