Special Issues
Peer-Reviewed · Open Access · Animal and Wildlife Research
Special Issues
International Journal of Animal and Wildlife Research (IJAWR)
Submitting a Special Issue Proposal
The International Journal of Animal and Wildlife Research (IJAWR) welcomes proposals for Special Issues focused on timely, scientifically significant, and academically relevant themes within animal and wildlife research. A Special Issue may focus on animal biology, wildlife ecology, biodiversity conservation, animal behaviour, veterinary and wildlife health, animal welfare, habitat management, endangered species, or emerging interdisciplinary research topics that contribute to the journal's scope and mission.
All Special Issues and every manuscript submitted to them are subject to the same standards that govern the journal's regular publications, including editorial screening, peer review, publication ethics, confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest management.
What to Include in Your Proposal
A strong Special Issue proposal should cover:
Proposed Title
A working title that clearly reflects the proposed Special Issue's subject and research focus.
Theme and Scope
A brief description of the theme, its scientific importance, and its relevance to animal and wildlife research, biodiversity, conservation, or animal welfare.
Objectives
The main aims of the Special Issue and its expected contribution to scientific knowledge, research development, wildlife conservation, or the understanding of animal-related issues.
Guest Editor(s)
The names, institutional affiliations, academic or professional backgrounds, relevant research expertise, and contact details of the proposed Guest Editors.
Proposed Article Types
The types of contributions anticipated, such as original research articles, review articles, case studies, short communications, or other relevant scholarly formats.
Expected Number of Contributions
An approximate estimate of the number of manuscripts expected for the Special Issue.
Proposed Timeline
The proposed schedule for the submission period and other relevant editorial milestones, where known.
Above all, the proposal should clearly explain the theme's scientific relevance, its potential contribution to animal and wildlife research, and its suitability for IJAWR.
What We Expect from Guest Editors
Guest Editors responsible for a Special Issue are expected to:
Promote the Special Issue through relevant academic, scientific, conservation, and professional networks
Invite high-quality scholarly contributions from researchers working in animal science, wildlife ecology, biodiversity, conservation, and related fields
Support the editorial and peer-review process throughout the publication cycle
Maintain confidentiality, fairness, and editorial independence
Disclose conflicts of interest and manage them appropriately
Ensure submitted manuscripts meet IJAWR's scientific, editorial, and ethical standards, including applicable animal welfare and research ethics requirements
Follow the Guest Editor Guidelines and all other applicable IJAWR policies
Editorial decisions must not be influenced by personal, professional, institutional, commercial, or financial interests. Guest Editors should ensure that research involving animals or wildlife appropriately addresses relevant ethical approvals, animal welfare considerations, and research permissions, where applicable.
How Proposals Are Evaluated
Every Special Issue proposal undergoes editorial evaluation before approval. IJAWR assesses the theme's scientific relevance, alignment with the journal's scope, qualifications and expertise of the proposed Guest Editor(s), and the practical feasibility of the proposed issue.
Submitting a proposal does not guarantee approval.
Approval of a Special Issue applies to the proposed issue as a whole and does not guarantee acceptance of any individual manuscript. Every submission remains subject to the journal's standard editorial screening and peer-review process and is assessed on its own scientific merit, methodological quality, and compliance with applicable ethical requirements.
Submitting Your Proposal
Submit your Special Issue proposal to the IJAWR Editorial Office using the contact details provided on the journal website. Please use “Special Issue Proposal” as the email subject line to help ensure that your proposal reaches the appropriate editorial team.