Proposed Special Issue
Propose a special issue that advances a focused question in memory science or cognitive neuroscience.
JM supports themed collections that bring together aligned evidence and expert commentary.
What to include in your proposal
Theme summary
A clear statement of the focus area and its importance.
Scope boundaries
What topics are in or out of scope.
Guest editor list
Names, affiliations, and expertise areas.
Target contributors
Likely authors or networks who may submit.
Timeline plan
Proposed submission window and review timeline.
Impact rationale
How the issue advances memory research or practice.
Promotion plan
How you will promote submissions and visibility.
Ethics readiness
Plans for managing conflicts of interest.
Structure a realistic schedule
Allow time for reviewer recruitment, revisions, and production so the issue stays on track.
Define guest editor responsibilities
Guest editors coordinate scope checks and reviewer suggestions while JM manages final decisions.
Keep updates consistent
Assign a primary contact to coordinate with the editorial office.
Strong special issues align theory, methods, and practical impact in memory science.
Build a coherent narrative
Strong proposals articulate a focused theme that connects theory, methods, and applications. Explain how the collection will advance understanding of memory processes beyond isolated findings.
Plan for reviewer needs
Consider the number of manuscripts and the availability of qualified reviewers. Planning for reviewer capacity helps maintain timely decisions.
Plan outreach
Identify networks, labs, or societies that can support submissions and visibility. A targeted outreach plan increases participation and impact.
Maintain standards
Guest editors should enforce JM reporting standards and flag any conflicts of interest early in the process.
Define what fits
Specify which methods, populations, or outcomes are in scope to avoid confusion during submission.
Clarify responsibilities
Guest editors support scope checks and reviewer suggestions while JM retains final decision authority.
Set realistic milestones
Plan for reviewer recruitment, revision cycles, and production so the issue remains on schedule.
Build the pipeline
Coordinate outreach to labs and networks early so the issue receives sufficient high quality submissions.
Build a meaningful collection
Strong special issues present a cohesive narrative across methods and populations. Explain how the theme advances memory science beyond isolated findings and how the collection will attract submissions from multiple labs or networks. A clear focus helps reviewers, readers, and indexing services understand the value of the collection.
Describe the audience
Define the primary audience for the special issue and why the theme is timely for the memory research community.
Invite strong submissions
List potential contributors and outreach channels to demonstrate a viable pipeline for the issue.
Clarify who will benefit
Identify the core communities who will read and cite the collection.
Launch or Join a Special Issue
Propose a focused theme or submit to an ongoing collection in memory science.
