FR
Frontiers
Editor
10 field-notes posts
From our journals
23 Mar 2026
Next generation nutrition science: a new chapter in sustainable food systems
Nutrition science faces a pivotal moment as we enter the last 5 years of the 15-year timeline of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The challenges of food security, dietary health, and environmental sustainability are deeply interconnected, and the research agenda is shifting to reflect that complexity. Siloed approaches, whether focused on single nutrients, isolated policy levers, or narrow populations, are giving way to systems-level thinking that treats food as part of a broader web of trade, technology, ecology, and human behavior.
Behind the scenes
16 Mar 2026
What do journal editors do? A guide for researchers
When you submit a manuscript to an academic journal, its scientific evaluation is controlled almost entirely by other researchers. Publisher workflows and industry standards govern peer review, but the people assessing your work are working scientists. They volunteer their expertise to evaluate, improve, and ultimately decide what gets published. Understanding who these people are and how they work can change the way you approach the submission and peer review process. It can help you interpret decisions, respond more effectively to feedback, and see where editorial work fits within the broader research ecosystem.
Research integrity and ethics
11 Feb 2026
Whistleblowing in the academic community
In research and publishing, whistleblowing is the act of reporting suspected misconduct or systemic practices that threaten the integrity, reliability, or trustworthiness of the scholarly record.
Behind the scenes
11 Feb 2026
Ten years of Frontiers in Education: What have we learned about teaching, learning, and leadership?
To mark the 10-year anniversary of Frontiers in Education, we spoke to members of the journal’s editorial board about what has changed in education and what must come next. Across different countries, disciplines, and research traditions, three shared themes emerged: the human foundations of learning, the need for stronger bridges between research and practice, and the growing importance of openness and collaboration. Here is what they told us.
From our journals
11 Feb 2026
From rankings to resilience: a case study in building a One Health department
When a department climbs into the top 40 globally in a major ranking, it is tempting to treat that moment as the achievement. But rankings are outcomes, not strategies. In 2023, the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Bari was ranked 36th worldwide in veterinary research. For Prof. Nicola Decaro, former Head of the Department, the milestone is less a destination than a data point, one indicator of deeper structural changes that have been underway for years.
Research integrity and ethics
15 Dec 2025
AI in peer review: what early-career researchers should know (and how to use it wisely)
For early-career researchers, AI has become part of everyday work, whether in drafting manuscripts, organizing ideas, or exploring literature. A survey of 1,645 active researchers, conducted by Frontiers, reveals that 87% of early-career researchers already use AI tools, far more than any other career stage.
Research integrity and ethics
04 Nov 2025
Is your social media research ethical? Here’s what you need to know
Social media has transformed how we connect and is increasingly transforming how we conduct research. With billions of users sharing experiences, opinions, and behavior in real time, platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok have become treasure troves of information for understanding human communication, health trends, and social dynamics.
New at Frontiers
06 Oct 2025
From FAIR to FAIR²: Why data principles matter and how publishing is evolving
If you’ve applied for funding in the last few years, you’ve probably heard of FAIR data. The principles - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable - have become the global standard for research data management. They are endorsed by major funders, woven into policies like Horizon Europe’s Open Science mandates, and promoted by organisations from the OECD to UNESCO. But what do they actually mean for researchers and why should you care?
Hot topics
26 Sep 2025
What’s hot right now in genetics?
Genetics moves fast - from national genomic services to AI-driven diagnosis - and researchers publishing with Frontiers in Genetics are at the forefront of these shifts. This month, we look at the themes making waves in the journal and the standout papers shaping conversations in the field.
Hot topics
26 Sep 2025
What’s hot right now in pharmacology?
Pharmacology continues to evolve rapidly – from refining clinical pharmacokinetics and precision dosing to advancing neuropharmacology, pharmacogenetics, and cardiovascular pharmacology. Researchers publishing with Frontiers in Pharmacology are driving these breakthroughs. Here, we highlight emerging themes and the studies shaping conversations in the field.