Call for Manuscripts

Themed Issue on Advancing Evaluation Practices in Clinical and Translational Science/Research


We are pleased to announce a Call for Papers for a themed issue of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science focused on evaluation. This issue will highlight the latest advancements, methodologies, and transformative practices in the evaluation of clinical and translational science, beyond the more traditional approaches. We invite translational scientists, clinical researchers, evaluation practitioners, community partners, and all CTS/CTR stakeholders to contribute original research articles, systematic reviews, case studies, and other manuscripts that address the critical aspects of evaluation in the field. Manuscripts should target a broad audience of all clinical and translational researchers, including those focused on community engagement in evaluation.


By highlighting innovative approaches to CTS/CTR evaluation and evaluation capacity building, identifying barriers and facilitators, and showcasing real-world evaluation use and impact, this issue will support evidence-based advances in clinical and translational science. Areas of particular interest include but are not limited to:

• Innovative evaluation tools, strategies, or methods (e.g., new measurement tools)
• Evaluation approaches that are replicable (e.g., novel dissemination techniques)
• Community engagement in evaluation (e.g., resource sharing)
• Innovative approaches to evaluation capacity building (e.g., professional development)
• Ethics, equity, and inclusivity in evaluation (e.g., engaging marginalized groups)
• Evaluation collaboration (e.g., inter-agency/organization efforts)
• Use of digital and AI technology (e.g., translation of evaluation data).

As part of the themed issue, an editorial will be developed by the guest editors. Accepted articles will be published online ahead of being compiled on our Thematic Issues page.

Submission Guidelines

• Deadline for Submission: March 28, 2025
• Manuscripts should be submitted online via the Journal’s Thematic Issues page.
• When submitting your manuscript, please select “Evaluation” in response to the Themed Issue submission question

Manuscripts may be submitted for peer review in any of the Journal’s article types except Editorial. For detailed information on each manuscript category and submission guidelines, please visit the JCS Instructions for Contributors on Cambridge Core.

Open Access and Fees

JCTS is a fully Gold Open Access journal. Information on the Journal’s Open Access policies, including the current Article Processing Charge (APC), can be found here. Standard APCs will apply for themed issue submissions unless other arrangements have been made in advance with the publisher.

Contact Information
Questions regarding this themed issue should be directed to the Guest Co-Editors listed below via the JCTS Editorial Office at jcts@cambridge.org

Guest Editors:


Brenda Joly, PhD, MPH, Professor of Public Health, University of Southern Maine, Lead – Tracking and Evaluation Core of the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network.

Dr. Joly is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Southern Maine. In addition to teaching, Dr. Joly has been working as an evaluator for the past 20 years collaborating with a number of prestigious institutions including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Network of Public Health Institutes. Currently, she serves as the lead evaluator for a $20 million initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health known as the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network. Dr. Joly earned her master’s and doctorate from the University of South Florida, College of Public Health.

Valerie Harder, PhD, Professor, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine

Dr. Valerie Harder has a doctorate in Mental Health Epidemiology and a master’s in Biostatistics from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Harder has extensive experience leading research and evaluation teams to measure the impact of public health interventions to improve physical and mental health outcomes of youth and young adults. She leads a team of researchers to leverage large administrative healthcare data sources to assess the impact of quality improvement efforts, targeted interventions, and healthcare policies. In addition, Dr. Harder has conducted quantitative evaluations of improvement projects for health systems in primary and specialty care.  Dr. Harder is a founding member of the Vermont Evaluation Network (VEN), was the Co-Chair for the first two years, and is now an active member. She plays a lead role on the Tracking of Evaluation Core for the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network. 

Boris B. Volkov, PhD, University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Institute for Health Informatics, and Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Minneapolis, MN

Robin M. Wagner, PhD, MS, Director, Office of Program Evaluation, Analysis and Reporting, Division of Clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health