IEEE Intelligent Systems Special Issue Proposal Guidelines

IEEE Intelligent Systems’ special issues are essential for providing timely coverage of emerging areas in AI research, technology, and engineering. We cultivate and solicit special issue proposals from senior researchers and recognized experts, and all proposals are submitted to the IEEE Intelligent Systems editorial board for evaluation.

Proposals must be received far in advance of the publication date to allow sufficient time for evaluation, article solicitation, peer review, editing, and production. Evaluation will be completed within three months of submission.

For questions or to submit a proposal, please contact ieee.intellsyst@gmail.com.

Guest Editor Requirements

Guest editors (GEs) should be recognized experts or leaders with a strong publication record in the proposed area. Each proposal must include one GE who is currently on IEEE Intelligent Systems’ editorial board. This person should be named in the proposal, along with an indication of whether he or she has agreed to serve in this role.

Additionally, potential GEs must:

  • Have 2–4 colleagues to serve as co-guest editors, who are all at different institutions and regions;
  • Have tenure, if on tenure track;
  • Include at least one GE who has prior editorial experience;
  • Appoint one GE to serve as lead, acting as correspondent for staff and editorial board on all related matters, with the added responsibility of managing the ScholarOne peer review system (see the ScholarOne Manuscripts Editor Basics);
  • Write a special issue introduction (1,000–2,000 words) once the final papers are accepted, to be published in the issue;
  • Before submitting, read the Guest Editor Information; and
  • Comply with GE Operation Guidelines, including conflict of interests and no submissions from the GEs, should the issue proposal be approved.

Proposal Requirements

The special issue proposal should include the following:

  1. Description: An overview highlighting the topic’s importance and timeliness.
  2. Potential contributors: Although the topic is emerging and new, a level of maturity and availability of adequate work are essential or the issue risks having a low number of submissions. Thus, a list of key R&D groups or established individuals working in the area should be provided, along with an assessment of the number of expected submissions.
  3. Guest editors’ information: Provide a one-page biosketch describing qualifications, publications, and leadership in the area for each GE, with an indication of who shall be lead GE.
  4. Preliminary call for papers (CFP): IEEE Intelligent Systems posts CFPs for each special issue 12 months before the issue publishes. At the proposal stage, a preliminary CFP draft (one page) is required.
  5. Publicity and promotion: Describe specific plans for promoting and publicizing the special issue and CFP.

Proposed date: Is there a timing concern? Please indicate this. The editorial board will consider this as it plans its calendar. Review deadlines are pre-set based on issue date.