Nature Portfolio

Nature Portfolio
Name	Nature Portfolio
Parent	Springer Nature
Founded	4 November 1869
Founder	Alexander Macmillan
Country	United Kingdom
Headquarters	London, England
Key people	Magdalena Skipper (Editor-in-Chief), Ruth Wilson (Managing Director)
Publications	Nature, Nature Research journals, Nature Reviews journals, Nature Communications
Website	https://www.nature.com/nature-portfolio

Nature Portfolio. It is a division of the global academic publishing company Springer Nature, encompassing the flagship multidisciplinary journal Nature and a vast array of associated research and review journals. The portfolio is one of the most prestigious and influential collections of scientific periodicals in the world, publishing original research across the natural sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and applied sciences. Its publications are known for high-impact discoveries, rigorous peer review, and setting editorial standards for the broader scientific community.

Overview

The Nature Portfolio serves as the cornerstone of scientific communication for Springer Nature, operating from its headquarters in London. It is structured into several distinct imprints, including the core Nature Research journals, which publish primary research, and the Nature Reviews series, which provides authoritative review articles. A key strategic development was the launch of the open-access mega-journal Nature Communications in 2010, which has become one of the world's largest scientific publications. The editorial leadership, historically including figures like John Maddox and currently led by Magdalena Skipper, maintains strict editorial policies and a high manuscript rejection rate to preserve the brand's selectivity and perceived prestige.

History

The history of the Nature Portfolio is intrinsically linked to the founding of its flagship journal. Nature was first published on 4 November 1869 by Alexander Macmillan, with Norman Lockyer serving as its first editor. The journal quickly established itself, publishing landmark papers such as the report on the discovery of the dinosaur Archaeopteryx and later, James Chadwick's discovery of the neutron. Throughout the 20th century, under editors like John Maddox, it became a global institution. The portfolio expanded dramatically from the 1990s onward, first under the Nature Publishing Group and later as part of the merged entity Springer Nature following its combination with Macmillan Science and Education.

Publications

The portfolio comprises over 100 journals, categorized into several families. The flagship, Nature, is published weekly and covers all scientific disciplines. Primary research is also disseminated through numerous Nature Research journals, such as Nature Genetics, Nature Physics, and Nature Medicine, each focusing on specific fields. The Nature Reviews series, including titles like Nature Reviews Cancer and Nature Reviews Materials, publishes synthesis and perspective articles. Other significant titles include the open-access Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, and the Nature Partner Journals series, which are published in collaboration with academic and research institutions like Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Italian National Research Council.

Business model and impact

The Nature Portfolio operates on a hybrid business model, combining subscription-based access with open-access publishing options, often funded by Article Processing Charges (APCs). Its journals consistently achieve some of the highest Journal Impact Factors in their respective categories, as tracked by Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports. Publishing in a Nature journal is considered a major career achievement for scientists and can influence university rankings, research funding allocations from bodies like the National Institutes of Health and the European Research Council, and even science policy. The portfolio's news and commentary sections, such as Nature News, also play a significant role in shaping public discourse on science.

Criticism and controversies

The Nature Portfolio has faced sustained criticism common to large commercial academic publishers, primarily concerning high subscription costs and profit margins, which have sparked movements like Plan S and institutional boycotts. Its high rejection rates and perceived emphasis on novel, headline-grabbing science have been criticized for potentially discouraging replication studies and incremental research. Specific editorial decisions have also provoked debate, such as the handling of papers related to CRISPR gene-editing technology and controversies over peer review integrity. Furthermore, its impact metrics are often criticized for contributing to a "publish or perish" culture within academia.

See also

* Science (journal) * Cell (journal) * The Lancet * Elsevier * Wiley (publisher) * Open access * Academic publishing

Category:Academic publishing Category:Springer Nature Category:Science journals