Propose an Issue

Guidelines for proposing a special issue of Fusion Journal

Fusion Journal is an international, online scholarly journal for the communication, creative industries and media arts disciplines. We publish refereed articles, creative works and other practice-led forms of output. Each special issue is organised around a theme involving the fusion of two or more ideas, disciplines or cultures, and edited by a small team of guest editors whose research interests reflect the particular theme. We welcome proposals for special issues that are within the scope of the journal.

1. Please submit a description of your special issue (approximately 1–2 pages) to the Managing Editor. Your description should include:

• Proposed title.
• Statement about the theme to be explored and its relevance to the aims of Fusion Journal and current research.
• A brief bio for each proposed guest editor. Select a team of 1–3 editors and identify the Lead Guest Editor; where possible include at least one early career researcher or Higher Degree Research student.

2. Proposals will first be assessed for suitability by the Managing Editor of Fusion Journal then by the Editorial Board. If suitable to proceed, the Managing Editor will advise formal approval of the issue and confirm suitability of the guest editors.

3. The Production Editor of Fusion Journal will liaise with the Lead Guest Editor to set the production schedule for the issue. A general guide is to allow six months for production.

4. The Production Editor will liaise with the Lead Guest Editor during all stages of production. Below is a guide to this process, which can be adapted to suit the special issue.

• Guest editors will prepare a call for content to be circulated among networks.
• Guest editors will identify suitable peer reviewers.
• The Lead Guest Editor will receive and approve abstracts or full submissions (as relevant) and confirm their suitability for peer review.
• The Production Editor will send out submissions and receive feedback during the peer review process using the journal’s referee report template. Upon completion of peer review, the Production Editor will forward the reviewers’ recommendations and feedback to the Lead Guest Editor to consider.
• The Production Editor will contact authors. For works that are accepted with amendments, authors will be given a timeframe to revise and return their final proofed submissions to be rechecked by the guest editorial team.
• Guest editors will write an editorial to introduce and situate the special issue and briefly summarise the contributions. (If, in addition to the editorial, any guest editors would like to contribute a submission, it will undergo double-blind peer review along with the other submissions.)
• The Production Editor will publish the issue and coordinate promotion with the Lead Guest Editor.

Note: If a special issue is unable to proceed due to a lack of quality submissions, the Managing Editor may cancel the issue. Where possible, any suitable manuscripts may continue through the peer review and production process and be published in another appropriate issue (with the consent of the authors).