International Journal of Cognitive Sciences: Bridging Disciplines, Cultures, and Methods in the Pursuit of Knowledge

The twenty-first century has witnessed an unprecedented surge in high-quality research devoted to the understanding of cognition. Its mechanisms, developmental trajectories, plasticity, and manifestations across species, cultures, and technological interfaces have become the focal point of inquiry for an ever-growing multitude of research teams worldwide. From single-cell recordings that reveal the neural codes of perception to large-scale computational models that predict complex decisions, cognitive science now spans levels of analysis and disciplinary borders with a reach unimaginable only a generation ago. This momentum calls for scholarly venues that are as agile, interdisciplinary, and forward-thinking as the field itself. It is in this spirit that I am delighted to introduce the International Journal of Cognitive Sciences (IJCS), a new home for rigorous, open, and inclusive knowledge transfer on cognition in all its forms.

Cognitive science has always thrived on intellectual pluralism. In its broadest, most inclusive sense, the field interrogates how information is acquired, represented, transformed, and employed. IJCS embraces this expansive definition. We welcome empirical and theoretical contributions from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, computer science, philosophy, education, and beyond. Our goal is not merely to juxtapose diverse perspectives but to foster genuine dialogue among them, enabling discoveries that would be invisible within disciplinary silos.

The launch of IJCS is a natural evolution within the MDPI family. Over the past decade, the Cognition section of our sister journal Behavioral Sciences has flourished, publishing hundreds of articles that span attention, memory, language, reasoning, and decision making. That remarkable growth demonstrates both the vitality of the community and the need for a dedicated outlet focused on cognitive inquiry. IJCS emerges to meet this need, providing a specialized forum in which cognition is not one of many topics but the central, unifying theme.

To realize this vision, I have assembled—and will continually expand—a committed Editorial Board of distinguished scholars who share my passion for cognitive science. Their collective expertise ensures that manuscripts receive informed, fair, and constructive evaluation. Yet, excellence is an evolving target. I encourage early-career researchers to join senior colleagues on our board and in our reviewer pool; their fresh insights are essential to keeping the journal at the scientific frontier.

IJCS is built on three pillars: rigor, speed, and transparency. First, we uphold the highest methodological standards. Studies employing sophisticated statistics, preregistered hypotheses, or robust qualitative methods are equally welcome, provided they articulate clear questions and draw conclusions supported by reproducible evidence. Second, we recognize that science advances best when communication is swift. Our editorial workflow is designed for rapid yet meticulous peer review, enabling authors to disseminate findings without undue delay. Third, we champion open science. We strongly encourage authors to share data, code, and materials in trusted repositories, in line with emerging best practices for transparency and reproducibility. For particularly rich datasets, we invite parallel submissions to Data, MDPI’s cross-disciplinary journal dedicated to the curation of high-value datasets.

A crucial priority for IJCS is global inclusivity. Cognitive science has been historically dominated by WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) populations, limiting the generalizability of many influential findings. We therefore actively solicit work conducted in, and by scholars from, under-represented regions, emerging economies, and diverse cultural contexts. The cognitive sciences can fulfill their explanatory promise only when they reflect the full spectrum of human experience.

Looking ahead, I envision IJCS as a vibrant meeting point where seasoned investigators and new voices alike converge to challenge assumptions, rigorously test theories, and collectively generate transformative knowledge. We will launch thematic Special Issues that highlight pressing topics. We will showcase meta-scientific contributions that evaluate the robustness of canonical effects and propose novel methodological tools. And we will maintain an unwavering commitment to integrity, diversity, and accessibility.

To prospective authors, reviewers, and readers: IJCS is your journal. I invite you to submit your most compelling work, engage in constructive peer review, and help shape editorial policies that reflect our shared values. Together, we can cultivate a publication ecosystem where high standards coexist with openness, and where innovative ideas are amplified by collaboration rather than siloed competition.

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Editorial Office, our publishing partners at MDPI, and the inaugural Editorial Board for their dedication in bringing IJCS to life. I am confident that, with the collective efforts of our global community, IJCS will soon stand as a premier outlet for cognitive science.