• Theme rationale and relevance to alcohol research
• Guest editor team with affiliations and expertise
• Draft call for papers and key topics
• Timeline for submissions, review, and publication

Proposals that address clinical impact, prevention strategies, and policy translation are prioritized. A clear rationale helps reviewers assess urgency and relevance.

• Planned outreach channels and target author community
• Expected article types and methodological focus
• Commitment to diversity of topics and perspectives
• Conflict of interest disclosures for guest editors

• Evidence based interventions for alcohol use disorder
• Alcohol related liver and cardiovascular outcomes
• Youth prevention and community based programs
• Policy evaluations and pricing interventions

Proposals are assessed for scientific relevance, feasibility, and editorial capacity. Clear outreach plans improve approval likelihood.

Strong proposals show a clear gap in the literature and a realistic plan for attracting high quality submissions.

Guest editors help identify reviewers, coordinate outreach, and recommend decisions in collaboration with journal leadership.

Guest editors are expected to maintain consistent review standards and manage timelines for invited submissions.

All special issue submissions follow standard ethics requirements, including consent statements, trial registration, and data availability disclosures.

A typical special issue includes a six to nine month window for submissions followed by rolling review and publication. Provide milestones for promotion, submission deadlines, and revision cycles.

Special issues provide visibility for focused areas, support community collaboration, and highlight leadership in alcohol research.

Accepted proposals receive promotional support through journal channels and coordinated outreach to relevant research communities.

Curated collections help clinicians and policy teams access concentrated evidence and identify emerging trends in alcohol prevention and treatment.

Guest editors should plan outreach to conferences, research networks, and clinical communities to attract high quality submissions. A clear outreach plan improves visibility and submission volume.

• Targeted invitations to leading alcohol researchers
• Announcements through professional societies
• Coordination with institutional communication teams

Proposals should estimate the expected number of submissions and describe how the guest editor team will manage peer review capacity.

A concise summary of the intended audience helps the editorial team assess relevance and outreach potential.

Include a short statement on how the issue will advance evidence based care or policy for alcohol related harms.

Clear scope boundaries help manage reviewer workload and timelines.

Focused themes improve peer review consistency.

This strengthens editorial efficiency.

It also supports quality assurance.

It improves clarity.