Instructions for Special Issues

Instructions for Monographic Issues (Special Issues)

Publication of Special Issues Street Art & Urban Creativity (SAUC) welcomes the publication of monographic issues that compile results from relevant research projects, proposed by guest editors of recognised academic prestige. The management of special issues is governed by the principles of editorial independence, rigorous peer review, and direct supervision by the journal’s leadership.

The procedure consists of three phases:

Phase 1: Submission of the Proposal 

Interested parties must submit a proposal to the Scientific Director including:

• Title of the special issue

• Names and affiliations of the guest editors

• Estimated number of contributions

• Academic justification and thematic coherence

• Initial proposal of reviewers (subject to editorial validation)

Planned content of the issue:

• Title of each contribution

• Name, affiliation, and academic profile of the authors

• Abstract of each article (150–200 words)

The Scientific Director, together with the Editorial Board, will evaluate the proposal based on its scientific quality, relevance, and editorial viability. The decision will be communicated to the guest editors.

Phase 2: Peer Review Process 

All articles included in special issues are subject to the same editorial and peer-review standards as regular submissions. The process includes:

• Initial editorial evaluation by the journal’s leadership

• Assignment of a responsible editor (Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor)

• External double-blind peer review

Role of Guest Editors Guest editors may:

• Propose qualified reviewers

• Collaborate in the academic coordination of the issue

However:

• All reviewers must be approved and validated by the editorial leadership

• The final selection of reviewers rests exclusively with the responsible editor

• Guest editors do not make editorial decisions autonomously

The decision on each manuscript (acceptance, revision, or rejection) rests ultimately with the Editor-in-Chief or the editor designated by the journal, based on the review reports.

Conflicts of Interest and Recusal In the case of special issues linked to conferences, projects, or academic networks:

• A strict conflict of interest policy shall apply

• Any guest editor with a direct relationship to a manuscript (authorship, co-authorship, recent institutional or academic collaboration) must refrain from participating in its evaluation

• Such manuscripts will be managed by an independent editor appointed by the journal

Phase 3: Final Editorial Decision 

Once the review process is complete:

• All documentation (review reports, editorial decisions, manuscript versions) will be forwarded to the Editorial Board

• The journal will conduct a final evaluation of the process and the complete issue

The final decision regarding the publication of the special issue rests exclusively with the journal’s editorial leadership.

Guest editors must:

• Retain all process documentation for a minimum of 2 years

• Ensure the traceability of all communications

In the event that the special issue is not approved:

• It may be revised and resubmitted within a period of 6 months

• Alternatively, articles that meet the required standards may be considered for publication in regular issues

Final Declaration 

The journal guarantees that all special issues are managed under the same standards of quality, editorial independence, and scientific rigour as regular issues, ensuring the integrity of the evaluation and publication process.