What Makes A Strong Proposal
Special issues should address a focused theme with broad relevance to mammal science and clear value for readers.
- A concise theme title and rationale.
- Clear research questions or challenges the issue will address.
- Relevance to mammal ecology, conservation, behavior, or management.
- Interdisciplinary or translational significance.
Strong proposals show how the theme advances understanding of mammal systems or improves conservation, management, or policy applications.
Leadership Expectations
Expertise
Guest editors should have a strong publication record and subject expertise in the proposed theme.
Editorial Capacity
Guest editors manage peer review in collaboration with the JMR editorial office.
Diversity
We encourage balanced teams across regions, career stages, and disciplinary perspectives.
What To Include In Your Proposal
Theme Overview
Explain the scientific need, scope, and intended audience.
Proposed Topics
List potential subtopics and example article themes.
Contributor Plan
Identify potential contributors or communities to invite.
Timeline
Provide a timeline for call for papers, review, and publication.
Include a short statement about how the special issue will advance mammal theory, methods, or conservation practice. Proposals that show clear scientific urgency are prioritized.
Editorial Assessment
The editorial office reviews proposals for scope alignment, scientific merit, and feasibility. Approved proposals move forward to a formal call for papers with JMR branding and support.
Peer Review And Ethics
All special issue submissions follow the same editorial standards as regular JMR articles. Guest editors collaborate with the JMR editorial office to ensure consistent review quality and ethical compliance.
- Single blind peer review with at least two expert reviewers.
- Conflict of interest checks for guest editors and reviewers.
- Ethics approvals and data availability statements are required.
- Clear decision letters and revision guidance for authors.
Typical Timeline
Proposal Review
JMR evaluates scope, feasibility, and guest editor qualifications.
Call For Papers
Approved themes are launched with a public call and outreach plan.
Review Cycle
Submissions are peer reviewed and revised under JMR standards.
Rolling Publication
Accepted articles publish online as soon as production is complete.
Visibility For Your Theme
JMR supports special issue visibility through website features, targeted outreach, and inclusion in journal communications. Guest editors are encouraged to engage their networks to broaden submission quality and diversity.
Example Themes
Possible themes include mammal movement ecology, carnivore coexistence, disease ecology at the wildlife livestock interface, conservation genetics, habitat fragmentation, climate adaptation, or rewilding and restoration.
Why Lead A JMR Special Issue
- Highlight a fast moving topic in mammal science.
- Build a focused community around a critical research question.
- Increase visibility for guest editors and contributors.
- Accelerate translation from discovery to practice.
Special issues offer a curated venue for high impact discussions and can shape research priorities across the field.
Ready To Propose A Theme?
Email info@openaccesspub.org with your proposal outline and guest editor details.
