Proposed Special IssueAdvanced Rheumatology Science
Special issues spotlight emerging rheumatology themes and bring together high impact research in one curated collection. We welcome proposals that address urgent scientific questions with clear methodological rigor.
Why Propose a Special Issue
A special issue creates a dedicated platform for researchers to engage with a focused rheumatology theme. It accelerates dissemination, supports collaboration, and increases visibility for contributing authors.
Proposals should demonstrate scientific need, editorial leadership, and a realistic plan for attracting high quality submissions.
Well planned special issues can boost citations, highlight emerging methods, and build a community around a shared rheumatology challenge.
Proposal Essentials
- Clear theme and scope statement
- Guest editor qualifications
- Target audience and impact
- Proposed timeline and milestones
- Draft call for papers
- Potential contributor list
What to Include in Your Proposal
Theme Rationale
Explain why the topic is timely and how it advances rheumatology care or translational science.
Guest Editor Team
Provide names, affiliations, and expertise areas for proposed guest editors.
Planned Article Types
List expected contributions such as original research, reviews, or methods papers.
Submission Timeline
Propose realistic submission, review, and publication timelines.
Outreach Plan
Describe how you will recruit authors and promote the call for papers.
Ethics and Transparency
Address data sharing expectations and ethical compliance across submissions.
Suggested Themes
We welcome proposals across the breadth of rheumatology, especially topics with strong clinical relevance and translational potential. Themes should be focused but broad enough to attract diverse submissions.
Example Topics
- Inflammatory arthritis and autoimmunity
- Connective tissue disease and vasculitis
- Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease
- Imaging, biomarkers, and precision medicine
- Biologics, small molecules, and safety
- Rehabilitation and patient reported outcomes
Editorial Review and Approval
Special issue proposals are reviewed to ensure scope alignment, feasibility, and quality standards.
Topics must align with the journal's rheumatology mission and audience.
Editors should demonstrate subject expertise and prior editorial or review experience.
All submissions must follow journal ethics and peer review policies.
Timeline and outreach plans should be realistic for high quality submissions.
Guest Editor Responsibilities
Guest editors coordinate peer review in collaboration with the journal team. Responsibilities include inviting reviewers, recommending decisions, and ensuring ethical compliance.
Guest editors should manage conflicts of interest and avoid handling submissions from their own institutions or close collaborators.
After Approval
Once approved, the editorial office will help finalize the call for papers and establish a submission timeline. Guest editors coordinate peer review under journal oversight.
Accepted articles are published on a rolling basis and grouped within the special issue collection for sustained visibility. The journal promotes the collection to increase reach.
Standard APC policies apply to special issue submissions unless otherwise announced.
Guest editors may contribute an introductory editorial to frame the theme.
Collections remain open until the stated closing date.
Propose a Special Issue
Share your proposal and help shape a focused collection on a priority rheumatology topic.
Submit a Proposal Contact the Editorial OfficeEmail: [email protected] | Response within 24 business hours | Special issue guidance available
