Chem (journal)

Chem (journal). A premier weekly scientific journal published by Cell Press, a division of Elsevier, focusing on publishing significant original research across all disciplines of chemistry and its interfaces with other sciences. Launched in 2016, it aims to provide a high-visibility platform for groundbreaking studies that demonstrate conceptual advance, broad interest, and relevance to solving global challenges. The journal is known for its rigorous editorial standards and has quickly established itself as a leading voice in the chemical sciences, alongside other prestigious titles in the Cell Press family such as Joule and Matter.

History and background

The journal was launched in July 2016 by Cell Press, a publisher with a strong reputation in life sciences through titles like Cell and Neuron. The creation of Chem was part of a strategic expansion by Cell Press into the physical sciences, following the successful model of its flagship journal. The founding editor-in-chief was Robert Eagling, who previously held editorial roles at Nature Chemistry and Nature Publishing Group. The launch was announced at major scientific conferences, including the American Chemical Society national meeting, signaling its ambition to attract top-tier research from the global chemistry community. Its establishment coincided with a growing emphasis on interdisciplinary research bridging chemistry with fields like biology, materials science, and energy.

Scope and publication details

Chem publishes original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that span the entire breadth of chemistry, from fundamental organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry to applied areas such as catalysis, nanotechnology, and chemical biology. It particularly encourages submissions that explore interdisciplinary connections with adjacent fields, including pharmacology, environmental science, and physics. The journal operates on a weekly publication schedule and utilizes a hybrid open access model, allowing authors to choose between traditional subscription or open access publication. All submissions are handled via an online editorial manager, and accepted articles are promoted through Cell Press's extensive media and social media channels, including Twitter and LinkedIn.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is comprehensively abstracted and indexed in major scientific databases, ensuring wide dissemination and discoverability of its content. Key indexing services include the Science Citation Index Expanded, part of Clarivate's Web of Science, and the Scopus database from Elsevier. It is also indexed in PubMed Central and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) for its open access content. These listings are crucial for authors, as they facilitate tracking of citations and metrics through tools like the Journal Citation Reports, which calculates the impact factor. Coverage in these databases places Chem alongside other high-impact journals in the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry.

Editorial board and peer review

The editorial board is led by editor-in-chief Robert Eagling and comprises an international team of associate editors and a distinguished advisory board of leading scientists. Notable board members have included researchers from institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the Max Planck Society. The journal employs a rigorous single-blind peer review process, managed by its professional in-house editorial team, which seeks expert referees from the global academic community. This process emphasizes the novelty and broad significance of the work, aligning with the editorial philosophy of Cell Press. The board also oversees the selection of content for special issues, often focusing on emerging topics like artificial intelligence in chemistry or sustainable development.

Impact and reception

Since its launch, Chem has rapidly gained a strong reputation within the scientific community, reflected in its rising impact factor, which reached 15.0 for the 2022 Journal Citation Reports. It is regularly featured in press releases and news coverage by organizations like EurekAlert! and AlphaGalileo, highlighting its influential research articles. The journal has received positive reception for publishing studies that address pressing global issues, such as carbon capture, battery technology, and drug discovery. It is often compared favorably to established chemistry journals like Angewandte Chemie and Journal of the American Chemical Society, and its success has reinforced Cell Press's standing in the physical sciences publishing landscape.

Category:Chemistry journals Category:Cell Press academic journals Category:Academic journals established in 2016 Category:Weekly journals