SPSSI continues to expand access to impactful social science research via multiple academic publications, including the Social Issues and Policy Review (SIPR), Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy (ASAP), and the Journal of Social Issues (JSI). Through the newly renamed Virtual Social Issue (VSI), formerly known as the Virtual Series Issue, SPSSI members may curate timely, policy-relevant scholarship into cohesive, accessible collections designed to inform both academic and public audiences. A VSI is a themed, digital issue organized around significant social moments, including major policy debates, anniversaries, or emerging societal challenges. Rather than publishing new empirical studies, subject matter experts curate 10–15 previously published articles from SPSSI’s journals—JSI, SIPR, and ASAP—with at least one article from each journal to ensure breadth and balance. Once published, all selected articles are made open access for three months, increasing visibility, accessibility, and real-world impact. Similar to SPSSI policy statements, the selected research is synthesized into an introductory narrative that uses empirical evidence to inform current policy, unearthing timely insights from past scholarship.
 

Developing a VSI begins with identifying a compelling and timely topic and securing approval from the VSI Editor. Editors then curate relevant SPSSI articles and develop a five-page policy-oriented introduction that synthesizes the selected research, integrating a limited number of external references where appropriate. The goal is to connect empirical findings to a pressing social or policy issue through a clear, narrative-driven synthesis rather than presenting new data. VSIs are published on a quarterly basis by Wiley with draft submissions due two to three months prior to publication to allow for editorial review.
 

The VSI model has evolved into a more collaborative and interdisciplinary effort. Editors are encouraged to partner with subject matter experts, including researchers, practitioners, and policy specialists, to deepen the analysis and interpretation of existing literature. These collaborations strengthen the connection between research and real-world policy contexts, bring diverse perspectives to longstanding findings, and help surface insights from SPSSI publications that are newly relevant to current debates. In this way, the VSI serves not only as a curated collection of scholarship but also as a bridge between research and action, demonstrating how past literature can inform present policy decisions.
 

SPSSI welcomes proposals for future VSIs and encourages interested contributors to reach out to the current VSI Editor, Roxanne Moadel-Attie, at Roxanne.Moadel@gmail.com to discuss potential topics or collaborations. Previously published issues can be accessed here:

https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/topic/vi-categories-15404560/1d9a2876-e765-4a59-9bfc-3f3e392e7541/15404560.

Further, the Publications Committee will be seeking a new VSI editor for next term in 2027. Please share your interest in this opportunity with SPSSI leadership. The Virtual Social Issue represents an important opportunity to amplify SPSSI’s body of research and bring evidence-based perspectives to the forefront of today’s most pressing social challenges.