To be a Guest Editor of a Special Issue of Indexed Journal

Dear Hassan El Bari It was a good question from Linas Balciauskas since it very much depends. You need to be more specific. The thing is that there are journals/publishers that make excessive use of special issues:

-MDPI has numerous journals where they do/did this, a notorious example is their journal title “Sustainability”, see for example https://retractionwatch.com/2024/01/02/exclusive-mdpi-journal-undergoing-reevaluation-at-scopus-indexing-on-hold/

-But other publishers/journals are doing the same (excessively), see for example

https://retractionwatch.com/2024/01/26/springer-nature-journal-pulls-nearly-three-dozen-papers-from-special-issues/

https://retractionwatch.com/2024/01/30/journal-retracts-80-papers-idd-as-paper-mill-products-following-sleuths-report-undark-retraction-watch-investigation/

https://retractionwatch.com/2023/12/19/hindawi-reveals-process-for-retracting-more-than-8000-paper-mill-articles/

-The fall of the Hindawi publisher is primarily caused by this phenomenon, see for example https://retractionwatch.com/2023/12/06/wiley-to-stop-using-hindawi-name-amid-18-million-revenue-decline/

-The problem is that too excessive use of special issues makes journals vulnerable for manipulation (such as hijacking, paper mills, plagiarism etc.) because they are most of the times run by non-staff guest editors and all this a bit outside the ‘normal’ publication procedure https://undark.org/2023/06/21/in-a-tipsters-note-a-view-of-science-publishings-achilles-heel/

Having said this, there are situations where it is safe and an even somewhat honourable task to be a (guest)editor of a special issue. This is for journals that include special issues only once every 1-2 years or where the special issue ‘replace’ one of the regular issues. Like for example:

https://link.springer.com/journal/232/volumes-and-issues/256-4

https://www.ias.ac.in/Journals/Journal_of_Biosciences/Special_Issue_on_Plant_Mitochondria:_Properties_and_Interactions_with_Other_Organelles

https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10QFC6625FF

https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10T442W18CC

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/18733468/2023/597/1

General rule is: do you consider yourself as a real expert (with a serious network) in the field/subject of the special issue you are asked for as (guest) editor.

Best regards.

Volodymyr Dzhyvak

Dear Hassan El Bari

Being a guest editor for a special issue of an indexed scientific journal can offer several significant advantages and benefits:

Professional Recognition: Serving as a guest editor is a prestigious role that can enhance your reputation in your field. It showcases your expertise and leadership in a specific area of research.

Networking Opportunities: You’ll have the chance to collaborate with leading researchers and practitioners in your field. This can lead to valuable professional connections and potential future collaborations.

Exposure to Cutting-Edge Research: You'll gain early access to high-quality research papers and emerging trends in your area of expertise, which can help you stay current and informed.

Influence on the Field: By curating and guiding the special issue’s content, you can shape the direction of research in your field and highlight important topics or emerging areas of interest.

Skill Development: The role helps develop skills in managing the peer review process, editing, and organizing a comprehensive body of work. These skills can be beneficial for your academic career.

Increased Visibility: Your involvement in the special issue can increase your visibility as a thought leader and may lead to more invitations to participate in other editorial roles or speak at conferences.

Contribution to the Community: You’ll contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field by facilitating the dissemination of high-quality research.

Overall, being a guest editor is a valuable opportunity for professional growth, networking, and contributing to your field’s body of knowledge.

Sincerely

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