https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/call-for-papers/70yrs-of-ecological-genetics
Journals
Guest editors
- Dr Tin Hang (Henry) Hung (University of Oxford, UK)
- Professor Paul Ashton (Edge Hill University, UK)
- Dr Rebecca Whitla (University College Dublin, Ireland)
Since the Ecological Genetics Group first gathered in 1956, the field has undergone a profound transformation. What began as phenotypic observation in natural populations has evolved into an era of high-throughput sequencing and environmental omics that was once barely imaginable. Yet, across seven decades of rapid methodological evolution, the core objective of ecological genetics has remained unchanged and increasingly urgent: understanding the mechanisms by which organisms persist, adapt, or fail in the face of an anthropogenic global change.
This cross-journal Special Feature marks the 70th anniversary of the discipline by synthesizing its foundational history with the cutting-edge developments now bridging fundamental inquiry to global application. We highlight research across the full continuum of ecological genetics, emphasizing how genetic and genomic insights inform broader ecological processes, conservation management, and environmental policy.
We particularly welcome empirical, theoretical, and perspective submissions addressing the following themes, but are open to any broader topics of ecological genetics:
- Synthesis and reflections of ecological genetics: Reviews and perspectives tracing the evolution of core theories from traditional fieldwork to modern omics, identifying the prioritized questions that will define the field’s next chapter.
- Lessons from long-term ecological genetic studies: Submissions utilizing rare, multi-decadal datasets to provide the essential temporal context needed to understand local adaptation, genetic diversity, and population persistence over time.
- Genomics in policy and management: Applied research demonstrating how high-resolution genetic data informs conservation strategies and biodiversity policy, including critical frameworks for data sovereignty and equitable genomic governance.
- Next-generation monitoring: Organized in collaboration with the UK DNA Working Group, this theme features emerging genetic and computational tools, emphasizing bidirectional knowledge exchange to ensure novel monitoring techniques are practically applicable for large-scale assessments.
- Genetics of adaptation and resilience under global change: Empirical and theoretical work investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying species’ survival or decline when exposed to rapid environmental stressors.
All proposals will be assessed by the Special Feature Editors to be invited to submit to the Special Feature. For papers that are invited to submit, they will undergo identical rigorous peer review as all papers submitted to the journals and invitation to submit does not guarantee eventual acceptance. For accepted papers, they will be published in their respective journal when they are ready and also added to this page. You can read more about the British Ecological Society’s special feature process here.
If you have any queries, please contact admin@journalofappliedecology.org.
To submit a proposal to this Special Feature, please fill out this form. The call for proposals will close on the 5th November 2026 at 3pm GMT.
****