Special Section Call for Proposals

MJCSL is pleased to invite proposals from Guest Editors for a special section on
Sustainability & Community Engagement (Volume 34, Issue 1).

The Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning is seeking 2-4 guest editors for our upcoming special section focused on the promises, partnerships, and outcomes of community-engaged sustainability efforts to be published in April 2027. 

MJCSL holds a space in our first issue every year to feature 3-7 contributions addressing relevant and timely topics identified by our editorial board. These sections have an eye to the future as well as a reflection of where we have been. Serving as a guest editor is an excellent way to contribute your specific knowledge and expertise to advance the field of community-engaged scholarship by supporting others in their work.

Through our partnership with Campus Compact, each published issue of MJCSL is followed by a “Meet the Authors” virtual event designed to demystify the writing process, bring theory to practice, and encourage scholars to think about publishing their own work. Guest editors of the special section serve as facilitators of this webinar.

Guest Editor Expectations

Guest editors are committed to active participation during the full process of publication, which requires approximately 15 hours over 12 months. 

As a co-guest editor, you will: 

  • Draft CFP for the special section on sustainability by January 15th (2-3 hours)
  • Share the call with your networks (30 min)
  • Review proposals, using MJCSL guidelines (1 hour) 
  • Review manuscripts to determine whether they are ready for peer review (4 hours)
  • Help identify peer reviewers for the chosen manuscripts (1 hour)
  • Write an intro to the special section (2-3 hours)
  • Co-facilitate Meet the Authors event (2 hours)

The MJCSL team will:

  • Share the call via our networks
  • Address any questions regarding the review process
  • Manage the peer review process, including communication with reviewers
  • Help resolve differences among reviewers, if needed 
  • Provide other administrative support as needed. 

Letters of interest are due to mjcsl@umich.edu by November 1, 2025. 

The LOI should include: 

  • Theoretical focus for your take on the special section
  • Relevance of your focus to the field 
  • Short list of bibliographic references
  • LOIs may be submitted either individually or as a proposed editorial team.

Please let us know if you have any questions at mjcsl@umich.edu.