Umm Al-Qura University Journals welcome the development of special issues and topical collections to spotlight specialized research areas, address emerging topics, and foster interdisciplinary dialogue. These initiatives reinforce the commitment of Umm Al-Qura University Journals to advancing high-quality, peer-reviewed academic discourse on focused or designated themes.
Definitions
Special Issue: A curated collection of articles centered around a specific research theme or topic, published together under a unified title within a designated issue or volume.
Collection: A dynamic collection of articles published across various issues or volumes, brought together virtually under a shared theme on the journal’s website.
Aims and Scope
Special issues and collections aim to:
Advance scholarly research in emerging or underexplored fields.
Encourage interdisciplinary approaches.
Enable intellectual leadership through guest editors.
Increase the visibility and citation impact of published research.
These initiatives may include invited review articles, original research, case studies, or relevant investigations pertinent to the theme.
Classification of Special Issues
Special issues are classified into two categories:
Solicited Special Issue:
Initiated or commissioned directly by the journal's editorial board.
The journal may contact prominent, expert scholars to propose and lead the special dossier.
Such proposals typically form part of a planned editorial strategy to highlight emerging or critical topics.
Guest editors are appointed by the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board.
Unsolicited Special Issue:
Proposed independently by researchers or academics without prior solicitation from the journal.
Individuals or groups submit a special issue proposal for consideration, outlining the theme, scope, and prospective contributors.
The editorial board assesses the proposal for relevance, scholarly quality, and feasibility before granting approval to proceed.
Proposal and Approval Process
To submit a proposal for a special issue or collection, please download and complete the Special Issue Submission Form, and submit it via email to the journal or the Umm Al-Qura University Journals Editorial Office at: dsrsj@uqu.edu.sa.
The proposal must include the following:
Title and thematic focus.
Rationale and alignment with the scope of Umm Al-Qura University Journals.
Proposed guest editors (accompanied by brief CVs and institutional affiliations).
A preliminary list of prospective contributors (optional).
Timeline for submission, peer review, and publication.
The Editorial Board reviews all proposals based on scientific merit, thematic coherence, and editorial alignment.
Guest Editors
Guest Editors may be appointed to oversee special issues or collections. Their responsibilities include:
Contributing to the conceptualization of the thematic scope.
Soliciting high-quality submissions.
Coordinating the peer review process in full accordance with the standards of Umm Al-Qura University Journals.
Ensuring rigorous compliance with ethical and editorial policies.
Guest editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and adhere strictly to the journal's Code of Conduct.
Editorial Independence and Quality Assurance
All manuscripts submitted to special issues or collections undergo the same rigorous peer-review process applied to regular submissions. Acceptance is determined solely by scholarly quality, originality, and relevance, independent of invitation status or editorial affiliations.
Umm Al-Qura University Journals maintain complete editorial oversight to guarantee:
Impartial and objective peer review.
Strict adherence to ethical standards.
The integrity of the editorial process, free from undue influence by guest editors or sponsors.
Open Submissions
Unless otherwise stated, special issues and collections remain open for submissions from all researchers within the relevant field. Author guidelines and submission deadlines will be announced on the journal’s website and promotional channels.
Conflicts of Interest
All participants—including guest editors, reviewers, and authors—must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The Editorial Board evaluates these disclosures prior to manuscript acceptance or publication.
Marketing and Visibility
Approved special issues and collections may be promoted through:
Announcements on the Umm Al-Qura University Journals portal.
Calls for papers circulated across academic networks.
Institutional outreach and promotional activities at academic conferences.
These efforts enhance academic visibility and ensure outstanding scholarly participation.
Post-Publication Updates
Collections remain open to accommodate prospective, thematically relevant articles over time.
Special issues are published as a closed, standalone unit within a designated volume and issue.