Submit to a Special Issue
Contribute to Curated Collections on Priority Public Health Topics
Special Issues in the Journal of Public Health International (JPHI) bring together focused, high-impact research on specific themes of contemporary relevance to global public health. By contributing to a special issue, your work gains enhanced visibility within a curated collection of complementary research, edited by leading experts in the field.
All submissions undergo the same rigorous peer review process as regular articles, maintaining JPHI's high standards for scientific quality, methodological rigor, and ethical integrity. Accepted articles are published open access, ensuring maximum reach and impact.
Benefits of Special Issue Publication
Enhanced Visibility
Special issue articles receive dedicated promotion, collection landing pages, and increased discoverability through targeted dissemination to relevant research communities.
Expert Curation
Guest Editors with specialized expertise oversee submissions, ensuring thematic coherence and providing valuable feedback during the review process.
Thematic Impact
Your research is contextualized within a collection of related studies, amplifying collective impact and facilitating comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with leading researchers working on similar topics, potentially leading to future collaborations and professional relationships.
Efficient Timeline
Streamlined review processes ensure timely publication while maintaining rigorous quality standards, getting your research published when it's most relevant.
Open Access Impact
All special issue articles are freely accessible globally, maximizing citations, downloads, and real-world application of your research findings.
How to Submit
Step-by-Step Submission Guide
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Review Special Issue Details
Visit our Ongoing Special Issues page to view current calls for papers. Carefully read the theme, scope, topics of interest, and submission deadline. -
Prepare Your Manuscript
Follow our standard Author Guidelines for manuscript preparation. Ensure your research clearly aligns with the special issue theme and addresses relevant research questions outlined in the call for papers. -
Write a Cover Letter
In your cover letter, clearly state:- The title of the special issue you are submitting to
- How your manuscript fits within the special issue scope
- Why your research is timely and significant
- Confirmation that all authors have reviewed and approved the submission
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Submit Through Our Online Portal
Use our manuscript submission system. In the submission form, indicate the special issue title in the designated field or cover letter. -
Peer Review Process
All submissions undergo single-blind peer review by experts in the field (double-blind review available upon request). Guest Editors oversee the process with support from JPHI's editorial team. -
Publication
Accepted manuscripts are published in the special issue collection and promoted through JPHI's channels. All articles receive DOI assignment and are indexed in major databases.
Important Submission Guidelines
- Submission Deadline: Adhere strictly to the submission deadline stated in the call for papers. Late submissions may not be considered.
- Scope Alignment: Ensure your manuscript clearly addresses the special issue theme. Off-topic submissions will be rejected without review or transferred to regular issue consideration.
- Original Research: Manuscripts must present original, unpublished research. Plagiarism or duplicate publication will result in immediate rejection.
- Ethical Standards: All research must comply with ethical guidelines, including obtaining necessary approvals for human or animal studies.
- Author Guidelines: Follow JPHI's formatting requirements, reference style, and word limits as specified in our Instructions for Authors.
- Article Processing Charges: Upon acceptance, standard APCs apply. Waivers and discounts available for eligible authors.
- Peer Review Standards: The same rigorous peer review standards apply to special issue submissions as regular articles—acceptance is merit-based.
Accepted Manuscript Types
Special issues welcome various manuscript types, depending on the specific call:
- Original Research Articles – Empirical studies presenting novel findings
- Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Comprehensive evidence syntheses
- Brief Reports – Concise presentation of preliminary or focused findings
- Case Studies – In-depth examination of specific interventions or programs
- Methodological Papers – Novel methods or analytical approaches
- Perspectives and Commentaries – Expert viewpoints on current issues (typically invited)
- Reviews – State-of-the-art overviews of specific topics
Check the specific call for papers to confirm which manuscript types are accepted for each special issue.
What to Expect After Submission
Acknowledgment
You will receive an automated confirmation email immediately upon successful submission, followed by acknowledgment from the editorial office within 1-2 business days.
Initial Screening
Guest Editors conduct an initial screening to ensure manuscripts fit the special issue scope and meet basic quality standards. This typically takes 3-5 days.
Peer Review
Manuscripts passing initial screening are sent to expert reviewers. Review period typically 2-3 weeks, though timelines may vary by special issue.
Editorial Decision
Based on reviewer feedback, the Guest Editors make recommendations (accept, minor/major revisions, reject). Final decision communicated by the editorial office.
Publication
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, author proofing, and are published online typically within 3-5 days of final acceptance.
Ready to Submit Your Research?
Join our community of researchers advancing evidence-based public health science.
