Announcements

The 2025 CiteScore metrics have been officially released by Scopus, and the results confirm what has become a consistent pattern for MDPI's journal portfolio: broad recognition across disciplines, steady improvement across the majority of ranked titles, and a growing presence at the top of subject category rankings.

CiteScore, published annually by Elsevier's Scopus database, measures the average citations received by articles published in a journal over a four-year window. As a complement to the Journal Impact Factor, which uses a two-year window based on the Web of Science database, CiteScore provides an alternative, long-term perspective on citation performance.

The 365 MDPI journals in Scopus (as of May 2026) are indexed across a wide range of subject categories, ensuring that open access research remains highly discoverable to a global readership through one of the most widely used platforms in academic publishing.

Data Summary (2025 CiteScores)

• New Additions: 41 MDPI journals received a CiteScore for the first time.
• Trending Upward: 234 of 322 previously ranked journals (73%) saw an increase in their CiteScore compared to last year.
• High Visibility: 314 journals (86%) rank in Q1 or Q2 in at least one subject category.
• Elite Performance: 42 journals rank in the top 10% of their subject categories.

Portfolio Performance

Among the 322 journals that held a CiteScore in 2024, 234 saw an increase this year. Quartile improvements outnumbered declines across the portfolio, with 52 journals moving to a higher quartile and only 20 seeing a decline. Furthermore, no previously ranked journals were removed. The 42 journals now ranked in the top 10% of their subject categories are drawn from a strong foundation of 178 journals holding a Q1 position.

With the large majority of our indexed portfolio ranked in the top half of research fields, researchers can confidently choose MDPI to meet funder mandates for high-quality, fully compliant Open Access publishing.

Exceptional Achievements for Foods and Life

Notably, both Foods and Life achieved a 99th percentile ranking in their respective subject categories for the 2025 CiteScores. This outstanding placement positions them as leading journals in their fields and highlights the high visibility and global impact of the open access research they publish.

Journal Metrics and Beyond

Journal-level metrics describe outlets, not individual articles. An increasing number of funders and institutions—including signatories of DORA and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment—now explicitly encourage evaluation at the article level rather than by the journal in which research appears. MDPI supports this direction: we report CiteScore alongside the Journal Impact Factor, Journal Citation Indicator, and article-level usage data because no single number captures the full reach and contribution of published research.

Thank You

These results reflect the sustained effort of thousands of editors-in-chief, editorial board members, reviewers, and authors across every field MDPI serves. The metrics are the outcome; the work is yours.

We are pleased to share the following interview with Prof. Dr. Sansar Sharma, Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Medicine & Pharmacology” in Encyclopedia (ISSN: 2673-8392).

Neural specificity and plasticity in the formation of nerve connections have been the central themes for studies in Prof. Dr. Sharma’s laboratory. Earlier in his career, with Michael Gaze at Edinburgh University, Prof. Dr. Sharma discovered neural plasticity in the formation of regenerating optic nerve connections to the adult brain centers in lower vertebrates. In subsequent studies, the extent of this phenomenon was explored in higher vertebrates, specifically in experimental glaucoma in rats and pigs.  Since there is selective cell death of ganglion cells in glaucoma, the fate of the remaining cells was explored with the anatomical, pharmacological, electrophysiological, and behavioral aspects. These ongoing studies gave further credence to the phenomenon of neural plasticity.

Education:

• Post-Doctoral Fellow: Dr. Viktor Hamburger and Rita Levi-Montalcini, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo, USA;
• Doctoral: Physiology, University of Edinburgh, School of Medicine, U.K. Professor R.M. Gaze and Professor David Whitteridge, UK.

Present research:

• Fate of retinal ganglion cells in transgenically induced microphthalmia in mice;
• Exosome-dependent navigational cues at the chiasm for developing retinal ganglion cell axons.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Nilanjana Maulik, who shared her vision for the journal with us:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to become its Section Editor-in-Chief?

A few articles in a review format with extensive background, present status of the topic at hand, and future direction of the topic make it worthwhile; instead of looking at a detailed method and just tackling a very small sub topic is mostly annoying, and it is directed at a very small audience. Encyclopedia has the capability to overcome such limitations. Hence my interests.

2. Looking at the current landscape of the “Medicine & Pharmacology” Section, what emerging topics or technologies do you believe are most ripe for comprehensive Encyclopedia entries?

Improving therapeutic specificity and immunotherapy, neuropharmacology, and neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinsons): Regenerative pharmacology using drugs to facilitate tissue repair: AI powered drug discoveries, CRISP-CAS9 gene therapies’ based therapies: Targeting drug conjugates are some of the emerging topics that should be encouraged for Encyclopedia entries.

3. What part do you think our journal Encyclopedia will play in this research field?

Any article invited should include studies that provide extensive overviews of a specific topic, ending with future directions. Readers would benefit the most by searching for varied literature to understand the topic.

4. What is your vision for the “Medicine & Pharmacology” Section?

I hope we can persuade leading authorities to contribute to defining reviews of their topics to set the standard of academic excellence.

5. Do you have a message you would like to share with the current Board Members of the “Medicine & Pharmacology” Section in the Encyclopedia?

I urge each medicine and pharmacology board member to write an overview of their topic. After establishing the standard, they should urge their colleagues to submit work to the journal.

6. What advice can you give to young researchers who have just started in this field?

Before embarking on independent research, young researchers usually write their dissertations about chosen topics. This also includes residents in all medical fields. I would encourage them to write their versions for this journal so they can get evaluations and learn further how to prepare the findings for publications.

MDPI is pleased to announce a special webinar in celebration of International Day of Families on 15 May 2026. This event aims to raise awareness of the vital role families play in society and explore the social, economic, and demographic factors that influence family well-being across the world. It also seeks to highlight the importance of family-oriented policies in promoting equality, supporting child development, and fostering sustainable social progress.

Date: 15 May at 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 p.m. CST Asia | 9:00 a.m. CDT
Webinar ID: 851 6580 3522

Register now for free.

Program

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic and institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Pan Wang, Associate Professor, Chinese and Asian Studies, Deputy Education Convenor, HAL;
• Prof. Dr. John Bartkowski, Department of Sociology and Demography, University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, Texas, United States;
• Ms. Katherine Klee, Lead Evaluator, Bartkowski & Associates Research Team; San Antonio, Texas, United States;
• Prof. Dr. Joseph G. Grzywacz, Associate Dean of Research, College of Health and Human Sciences, San Jose State University;
• Dr. Sampson Blair, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines;
• Dr. Sviatlana Karpava, Associate Professor, Chinese and Asian Studies, Deputy Education Convenor, HA Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

We are pleased to share the following interview with Prof. Dr. Raffaele Barretta, founding Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopedia (ISSN: 2673-8392).

Name: Prof. Dr. Raffaele Barretta
Affiliation: Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture (DiSt), University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21-80125 Naples, Italy
Interests: structural mechanics; nonlinear analysis; multiscale modeling; nonlocal mechanics; advanced materials; nanostructures; physics-informed neural networks

Prof. Barretta is currently Full Professor of solid and structural mechanics at the University of Naples Federico II. He received his master’s degree in civil engineering with full marks on October 28, 2003, from the University of Naples Federico II, with a thesis on polar models of beams and shells in large deformations (Tutor: Prof. Giovanni Romano). He subsequently earned his PhD in Structural Engineering from the same institution on January 19, 2007, presenting a dissertation on mixed variational methods in elasticity (Advisor: Prof. Giovanni Romano). In the 2006/2007 academic year, he began his teaching activity as a Lecturer in Solid and Structural Mechanics at the Accademia Aeronautica Militare di Pozzuoli (Naples). Following his PhD, he was awarded a two-year research grant (starting June 1, 2007) from the University of Naples Federico II, focusing on the nonlinear behavior of structures made from advanced materials. In 2008, he was a Research Scholar at Rice University (Houston, USA) within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In the academic years from 2009/2010 to 2012/2013, Prof. Barretta served as Lecturer in Solid and Structural Mechanics for both Structural and Mechanical Engineering programs at the University of Naples Federico II. He served as Assistant Professor of Solid and Structural Mechanics at DiSt from 2010 to 2015 and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor.

He has coordinated and contributed to several competitive national research projects, serving as Local Coordinator for the PRIN 2017 project “Multiscale Innovative Materials and Structures (MIMS)”, Principal Investigator for the PRIN 2022 project “Nonlocal Mechanics of Innovative Soft Nanostructures (NoMISN)”, and Local Coordinator for the PRIN 2022 PNRR project “Nonlocal Modelling of Nano-Coatings (NanoCo)”. Since 2022, he has been Coordinator of the AIMETA Group on Multiscale and Nanostructure Mechanics and has served on the editorial boards of international journals such as Acta Mechanica, Archive of Applied Mechanics, Advances in Mechanical Engineering, Scientific Reports and Facta Universitatis, Series: Mechanical Engineering (FUME). He is Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopedia and Chemical Reports. His scientific contributions have been widely recognized. He was named among the Top Italian Scientists in Engineering (Single Year Career, 2017) and was included in the PLoS Biology database of the top 100,000 scientists worldwide, where he was also listed among the top 90 scholars of the University of Naples Federico II. In 2025, he was ranked among the leading scientists globally, placing #783 worldwide and #15 in Italy in his field.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Raffaele Barretta, who shared his vision for the journal with us:

1. What sparked your interest in Encyclopedia and motivated you to take the role of Editor-in-Chief?
My interest in Encyclopedia was sparked by my long involvement in editorial activities. In my career, I have been involved in the editorial boards of several journals in the field of mechanics and engineering, which has given me a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and the challenges in the scientific community.
I accepted this role because Encyclopedia offers an alternative type of publication compared to standard journals. Indeed, it helps organize and clarify existing knowledge, making it accessible to a broad audience. In this sense, contributing to the journal means helping to improve the quality and clarity of scientific research.

2. Encyclopedia mainly publishes entry papers. In your opinion, what is the value of entries, and why should researchers consider this journal for their next manuscript?
Entries contribute significantly to the effective dissemination of scientific knowledge. In a context where knowledge is becoming increasingly specific, entries help organize and systematically catalog scientific knowledge.
They allow the main results to be presented in a structured manner, also collecting the outcomes obtained over a long period of time. Entries are useful in this regard for both experienced researchers and young scholars approaching a new discipline. They should therefore be usefully taken into account when writing new manuscripts.

3. What criteria do you consider most important when evaluating an entry paper?
The main criteria that I consider most important are the same as those for any scientific manuscript: rigor and clarity. Moreover, an entry paper should not be conceived as a simple collection of material, but rather as a concise and well-organized presentation of a specific topic.
The ability to highlight salient aspects is essential to the success of the contribution, which should be comprehensive and complete, but not overloaded with information.

4. Encyclopedia was recently accepted for coverage in Scopus, a significant milestone that reflects the journal’s growing influence. How has this achievement impacted the journal, and what is your vision for the journal moving forward?
Inclusion in Scopus represents a very important step for the journal. It increases its visibility, improves the perception of its quality, and makes it more attractive to both established and emerging researchers.
In my opinion, the next step is to further consolidate the quality, prestige, and consistency of Encyclopedia. This means attracting contributions from recognized experts and maintaining rigorous editorial standards.

5. Do you have a message you would like to share with the current board members of the journal Encyclopedia?
The editorial board has a decisive and incisive impact on the quality and solidity of the journal. The active and consistent involvement of the board members ensures the maintenance of high standards. The commitment of the editors is evident not only during the review process, but also in their ability to guide the direction of the journal.
Therefore, I would encourage board members to always promote valuable contributions, to be selective, and to prioritize quality over quantity.

6. What advice would you give to early career researchers?
Early career researchers should first focus on building a solid scientific foundation. This step represents a valuable investment that impacts the quality of their future scientific production.
It is also essential to learn to develop critical thinking skills and communicate clearly with the scientific community. I would also recommend investing in scientific production with commitment and seriousness, prioritizing the quality and consistency of the research path.

World Book and Copyright Day, observed annually on 23 April, celebrates the enduring power of books and raises public awareness of their role in preserving culture and fostering dialogue. The date was chosen to honor the legacy of literary giants such as William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, marking a pivotal moment in literary history. World Book and Copyright Day highlights how reading continues to expand our intellectual horizons while driving progress in education, social development, and the protection of intellectual property.

In recognition of World Book and Copyright Day, MDPI reaffirms its commitment to advancing high-quality research and protecting the integrity of academic publishing. Through open access publishing, we support the dissemination of knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities—ensuring that diverse voices and critical insights are accessible to all, and empowering scholars to contribute to the ongoing evolution of human thought and society.

We are honored to have interviewed Dr. Timothy E. Morse, Collection Editor of Encyclopedia. Dr. Morse shares insights into his academic background and research focus, reflecting on the most significant challenges he has faced in his career and how he navigated them. He also discusses the importance of this day for researchers and the global community, and offers his vision for innovations in universal knowledge access and intellectual property protection over the next decade.

“AI-Supported Reading Comprehension Across Disciplines”
by Kouider Mokhtari and Nirmal Ghimire
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6030056

“Fractured Fairy Tales: Concepts and Applications”
by Zhenying Hong and Fangqiong Zhan
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6010006

“Polyglot Lexicons and Encyclopedic Works in Late Imperial China”
by Ling-Wei Kung
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6010005

“Ethical Considerations for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Linguistics Journal Publishing: Combining Hybrid Thematic Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis”
by Xuan Wang and Xinyi Zhang
Publications 2025, 13(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13040061

“Reconceptualizing Human Authorship in the Age of Generative AI: A Normative Framework for Copyright Thresholds”
by Fernando A. Ramos-Zaga
Laws 2025, 14(6), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws14060084

“Authorship and Ownership Issues Raised by AI-Generated Works: A Comparative Analysis”
by Anthi Gaidartzi and Irini Stamatoudi
Laws 2025, 14(4), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws14040057

“Beyond Books: Student Perspectives on Emerging Technologies, Usability, and Ethics in the Library of the Future”
by Faisal Kalota, Benedicta Frema Boamah, Hesham Allam, Tyler Schisler and Grace Witty
Publications 2025, 13(3), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13030032

“Intellectual Property as a Strategy for Business Development”
by Ligia Isabel Beltrán-Urvina, Byron Fabricio Acosta-Andino, Monica Cecilia Gallegos-Varela and Henry Marcelo Vallejos-Orbe
Laws 2025, 14(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws14020018

“Conchas, Coloring Books, and Oxnard: Using Critical Race Counterstorytelling as a Framework to Create a Social Justice Coloring Book”
by Martín Alberto Gonzalez
Genealogy 2024, 8(3), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8030095

“Towards an All-Ireland Diamond Open Access Publishing Platform: The PublishOA.ie Project—2022–2024”
by Jane Mahony
Publications 2024, 12(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12030019

World Book and Copyright Day, observed annually on 23 April, celebrates the enduring power of books and raises public awareness of their role in preserving culture and fostering dialogue. World Book and Copyright Day highlights how reading continues to expand our intellectual horizons while driving progress in education, social development, and the protection of intellectual property. To celebrate this day, we were sincerely honored to interview Dr. Timothy E. Morse, Collection Editor of Encyclopedia (ISSN: 2673-8392).

Name: Dr. Timothy E. Morse Affiliation: Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Research, University of West Florida, Pensacola, USA Interests: special education; single-case design; explicit instruction; response-prompting strategies

 The following is a short interview with Dr. Timothy E. Morse:

1. Could you introduce yourself and share a brief overview of your research field?
I am an assistant professor at the University of West Florida, where I teach undergraduate and graduate special education courses. My research field involves investigations of systematic instructional procedures that maximize students’ active student responding. I am most interested in ways to construct effective, efficient multi-component interventions that can be presented in short-duration lessons. To a lesser degree, I focus on high-quality school programming for students with disabilities, particularly students with autism. My work is a product of my nearly 50 years of professional experience as a special educator and of my personal experiences with family members with disabilities.

2. What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your research career, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has involved bridging the interface between a university’s institutional review board (IRB) and a classroom teacher’s many responsibilities. Understandably, an IRB has established many procedural safeguards that must be followed to ensure an ethical, safe study. Yet, my experience is that teachers must turn down opportunities to support research in their classrooms because they cannot afford to complete many training requirements that do not compensate them for their work. I must serve as the interventionist in many single-case design studies to fill the void left by teachers who are not sanctioned to serve in this role.

3. In your view, what does World Book and Copyright Day mean to you, both as a researcher and as a member of the global community?
The day allows us to recommit to the importance of books as a vehicle for the transmission of ideas and information. As a researcher, books enable me to learn from others and to extend my understanding of how literacy is defined broadly, so that students with the most extensive support needs can participate meaningfully in literacy activities. As a member of the global community, I continue to learn that people throughout the world have much more in common than differences that cannot be addressed in a civilized manner.

4. Looking ahead, what innovations or initiatives would you most like to see in the next 10 years to ensure universal access to knowledge and the protection of intellectual property?
The initiative I most want to see is one that helps users determine the authenticity and validity of intellectual property. By authenticity, I mean verifying that content is produced by a knowledgeable, reputable human. By validity, I mean that the content is based on genuine scholarly work and not an amalgamation of content posted elsewhere in the cyber community.

5. As a Collection Editor of the Encyclopedia, could you share your experience with MDPI?
MDPI has enabled me to create a venue where peers can contribute substantive knowledge about teaching students with disabilities who manifest extensive support needs. The students comprise a low-incidence population, which presents challenges in finding publishers who truly seek to promote quality work on behalf of everyone while also making a profit. MDPI has distinguished itself as a strong supporter of my endeavor. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a Collection Editor.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).