Abstract
Human Relations invites proposals for special issues that focus on a specific area of research that has broad appeal and falls within the aims and scope of the journal. Special issues provide an excellent opportunity to review a well-defined topic, examine previously unaddressed or neglected aspects of that topic, propose and develop new approaches, exchange perspectives and encourage new lines of research.
The selection of special issues will be made by the Co-Editor-in-Chiefs, in consultation with the Associate Editors, based on the criteria outlined below. During the evaluation process, the Human Relations Editorial Team may ask experts in the domain of the special issue topic to evaluate the proposal.
Special issue proposals must contain the following:
1. A draft call for papers for the special issue. The call for papers must include: • A provisional title of the special issue. • Names, affiliations, and brief descriptions of the research expertise of the proposed Guest Editors in the domain of the special issue topic. • Justification for dedicating an entire issue of Human Relations to this topic.
What is its broad appeal and what are its projected theoretical, practical and policy implications? What is the intellectual added value of the special issue?
How will the special issue advance the research agenda?
How does it relate to the aims and scope of the journal, and why does it fit Human Relations in particular (i.e., what conversations in Human Relations will this special issue contribute to?)? • The special issue’s objectives. • The special issue’s scope: potential themes addressed in the special issue. • Examples of questions that would meet the objective of the special issue.
2. Details of any other special issues or special sections/themed content that have been published, or will be published, by other journals and which are devoted to the proposed or a closely related topic. In such cases, potential guest editors should show how their proposed special issue is distinctive in comparison and explain how it will add to the existing literature.
3. A promotion plan explaining how the call for papers will be advertised (web sites, distribution lists, conferences, associations, etc.).
Potential guest editors should explain their advertising plan aside from the calls for papers published in the journal and on our website. We require that special issues must be truly open to any researcher working on the topic. This requirement means that special issues cannot be restricted to researchers participating in specific workshops, symposia or small group meetings.
4. An explanation about how potential guest editors plan to attract contributions from around the world, to help enhance the special issue content by providing a variety of perspectives.
5. Potential guest editors should explicitly agree to adhere to current Human Relations editorial policies, processes and prompt turnaround times and to using the online submission and manuscript tracking system ScholarOne Manuscripts, for which training and support will be provided. These editorial procedures include a rigorous peer-review process that ensures that only the highest quality manuscripts will be selected for inclusion in the special issue.
6. Guest editors are asked to include a list of potential reviewers in their proposal. It is important for both reviewers and guest editors to adhere to the timing standards set by the journal.
7. A short CV of each proposed guest editor, including a list of major publications and details of editorial experience.
8. Human Relations is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. This means that we encourage guest editorial teams to include individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds and theoretical/methodological approaches to ensure that the domain of interest is addressed from a variety of perspectives.
9. Commitment to producing an accompanying video about the special issue to help promote it online and attract readers. Please describe the video ideas you have in mind and the degree of institutional support that is available to you. Existing videos can be viewed at https://journals-sagepub-com-s.web.bisu.edu.cn/page/hum/videos/vodcasts.
Further details of the special issue editorial process can be viewed at https://www.humanrelationsjournal.org/journal/special-issue-guidance/.
This special issue will be published in early 2027.