Polar Record invites scholars to submit special issue proposals. The purpose of a special issue is to generate a collection of articles in a specific area of research that will be of high interest to our readers. A special issue should be timely, cutting-edge, and distinctive.

Information to be provided in a SI proposal:

The format of a proposal is flexible and should contain the following information:

• 500-word rationale (including references) explaining the significance, novelty, advancement to the field, and alignment to the scope of the journal of the proposed SI - this will be further developed into the open call for the SI. Include a brief outline of the topics addressed in the proposed SI;
• A plan for obtaining quality manuscript submissions – include a list of invited authors;
• A plan for how the manuscripts will be managed through the review process;
• A brief overview of the Guest Editor/s detailing their editorial expertise; and
• A proposed schedule including proposal submission and acceptance, submission deadline and acceptance leading to issue publication.

We host our special issues as collections – see here. Please note that articles cannot be ordered, they will display in the order published.

Review the author instructions.

Selection process of the proposals:

• Overall quality of the SI proposal and fit for the current direction of Polar Record;
• Proposed SI focus is within the scope of the journal and provides significant innovation for the field;
• SI complements previously published special issues;
• Perceived ability of the guest editorial team to deliver quality SI within the proposed deadline.

Guest Editor/s’ expected role:

• Once the SI proposal is accepted, Guest Editors develop the call for papers;
• Polar Record will circulate the call for papers via the CUP website;
• Guest Editor/s will manage personalised author invitations and elicit proposals;
• One Guest Editor (only) will manage the SI via the ScholarOne system including allocating reviewers and managing editorial recommendations (e.g. reviewer feedback and revisions, acceptance). The Editors-in-Chief will make the final decision on each paper;
• Guest Editor/s will craft an appropriate editorial to showcase the SI contributions;
• Guest Editor/s will conduct all business with authors, reviewers, and the Polar Record Editorial team in an ethical /professional manner;
• Guest Editor/s will meet deadlines and deliver the final issue as scheduled;

The Polar Record Editors-in-Chief will closely work with the lead Guest Editor/s in ensuring that the SI is of the highest standard.

Please contact the Polar Record Editorial Office at polarrecord@cambridge.org for further information or to submit a proposal.