Umm Al-Qura University Journals welcome the development of special issues and topical collections to highlight specialized research domains, address emerging themes, and foster interdisciplinary scholarly dialogue. These initiatives reinforce the commitment of Umm Al-Qura University Journals to advancing high-caliber, peer-reviewed academic discourse across targeted subjects and specialized fields.
Definitions
Special Issue: A curated compilation of articles centered on a specific research topic or theme, published collectively under a unified title within a designated issue or volume.
Collection: A dynamic aggregation of articles published across various issues or volumes and curated virtually under a common thematic scope on the journal’s website.
Aims and Scope
Special issues and collections aim to:
Advance scientific research in emerging or underexplored areas.
Encourage interdisciplinary methodologies.
Cultivate academic thought leadership through Guest Editors.
Enhance the visibility and citation impact of published research.
These initiatives may feature invited review articles, original research, case studies, or thematic investigations.
Classification of Special Issues
Special issues are classified into two principal categories:
Solicited Special Issues:
Commissioned or initiated by the journal’s Editorial Board.
The journal may proactively invite prominent researchers and subject-matter experts to propose and lead the issue.
These proposals typically form an integral part of a strategic editorial vision aimed at addressing key emerging issues.
Guest Editors are appointed directly by the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board.
Unsolicited Special Issues:
Proposed independently by scholars or academic groups without prior solicitation from the journal.
Proponents submit a formal special issue proposal for consideration, detailing the rationale, scope, and prospective contributors.
The Editorial Board assesses the proposal for academic merit, thematic alignment, and operational viability before granting approval.
Proposal Submission and Approval Process
To propose a special issue or collection, please complete the Special Issue Proposal Form and submit it via email to the respective journal or the Umm Al-Qura University Journals Editorial Office at: dsrsj@uqu.edu.sa.
The proposal form must include:
Title and thematic focus.
Scholarly rationale and strategic alignment with the scope of Umm Al-Qura University Journals.
Proposed Guest Editors (including short academic biographies and institutional affiliations).
A provisional list of prospective contributors (optional).
A projected operational timeline for submission, peer review, and publication.
Proposals are rigorously evaluated by the Editorial Board based on academic rigor, thematic coherence, and editorial viability.
Guest Editors
Guest Editors may be appointed to oversee special issues or collections. Their key responsibilities include:
Defining and refining the thematic scope.
Soliciting high-quality manuscript submissions.
Coordinating the peer-review process in strict accordance with the standards of Umm Al-Qura University Journals.
Ensuring absolute compliance with established publication ethics and editorial policies.
Guest Editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and adhere fully to the journal's Editorial Code of Conduct.
Editorial Independence and Quality Assurance
All submissions to special issues or collections undergo the same rigorous, independent peer-review process applied to regular submissions. Manuscript acceptance is determined solely on the basis of scholarly merit, originality, and thematic relevance, independent of invitation status or editorial affiliations.
Umm Al-Qura University Journals maintain absolute editorial oversight to ensure:
Rigorous and impartial scholarly evaluation.
Strict adherence to international ethical standards.
Complete editorial autonomy, free from undue influence by Guest Editors or external sponsors.
Open Submissions
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, special issues and collections remain open to public submissions from all qualified scholars within the relevant field. Call-for-papers announcements, submission guidelines, and deadlines will be prominently featured on the journal's official website and promotional channels.
Conflicts of Interest
All participating parties—including Guest Editors, peer reviewers, and authors—must formally declare any potential conflicts of interest. The Editorial Board reviews all disclosures prior to formal acceptance and publication.
Marketing and Dissemination
Approved special issues and collections may be promoted through:
Official announcements on the Umm Al-Qura University Journals portal.
Calls for papers circulated across global scholarly networks.
Institutional outreach and academic conference announcements.
These initiatives maximize academic visibility and ensure distinguished scholarly engagement.
Post-Publication Updates
Collections remain dynamic and open to the subsequent addition of thematic articles over time.
Special issues are published as closed, definitive thematic compilations within a single designated volume and issue.