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17 June 2025
Meet Us at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Travel and Health, 19–20 July 2025, Nara, Japan
Conference: The 29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Travel and Health
Organization: Japanese Society of Travel and Health
Date: 19–20 July 2025
Place: Nara, Japan
Representatives from a number of MDPI journals will be attending the 29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Travel and Health as exhibitors. The meeting will be held in Nara, Japan, from 19 to 20 July 2025.
The Japanese Society of Travel and Health (JSTH), established in 1997, has been dedicated to advancing the field of travel medicine. The 29th Annual Conference, themed “Let's learn together and create together: a new era of Travel and Health that illuminates future travel”, will focus on the following key topics:
- Infectious disease treatment, infection control, and vaccines;
- Mental health, chronic disease management, and medical insurance;
- Establishment and operations of travel clinics;
- Latest trends, including digital transformation and AI.
As an interdisciplinary platform, this conference will bring physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and travel industry experts together to discuss the most pressing global health challenges.
The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:
- Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease;
- Infectious Disease Reports;
- IJERPH;
- Diseases;
- COVID;
- JPBI;
- Vaccines.
If you are planning to attend the conference above, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and to answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.c-linkage.co.jp/jsth29/.
13 June 2025
Diseases Receives an Increased CiteScore of 3.7
We are pleased to share that Diseases (ISSN: 2079-9721) has received an increased CiteScore of 3.7 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 146 out of 668 titles (Q1) in the “General Medicine” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 13.
You can find more statistics on our website.
The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.
This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Diseases and its growing impact in medicine.
11 June 2025
Meet Us at the 2nd Southeast Asia Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Symposium, 28–29 August 2025, Singapore
Conference: 2nd Southeast Asia Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Symposium
Date: 28–29 August 2025
Location: National University of Singapore, Singapore
Join us in Singapore for the 2nd Southeast Asia Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases Symposium from 28 to 29 August 2025! This symposium aims to connect leading experts, researchers, and professionals while encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange on ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Southeast Asia. By featuring novel insights into tick research, TBDs in Southeast Asia, and other related concepts, this event will provide a unique platform for networking and scientific exchange, fostering a sustainable research community across ASEAN countries. It will also offer young and/or emerging scientists the chance to engage with global experts in the field.
Seize this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of tick and TBD research in Southeast Asia. Register now and be part of this growing regional initiative!
The following journals will represent MDPI at the conference:
If you are planning to attend, feel free to reach out and start a conversation with us at our booth. Our team looks forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more details about the symposium, please visit the following website: https://www.gevme.com/2nd-southeast-asia-ticks-and-tick-borne-diseases-symposium.
3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts

Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)
In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.

Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
Creating a space for exchange of views
The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.
Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.
Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain
The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.

Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:
- MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
- Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
- Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)
We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.

MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).
A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!
Upcoming MDPI Summit events:
- Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
- US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
- France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
- US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
- UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
- Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
- Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
...with more in between, and more to follow.
Impactful Research

50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex
Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.
I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.
“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”
Discoverability and reach
Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.
You can read our full announcement here.
Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.
Inside MDPI
One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office
On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.
A few highlights from the past year

Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)
Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.
In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.
The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.
The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.
“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”
Growth plans
Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.
Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.
Coming Together for Science

Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)
We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.
MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures
- With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
- In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
- The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
- Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
- Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
- In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
- 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
- MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.
The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome

Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.
The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.

Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Event Agenda – 27 May
Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:
- MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
- Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia

Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.
Closing Thoughts

Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing
A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.
As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.
Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.
MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
28 May 2025
Meet Us at the 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 14–18 July 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark
Conference: 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Date: 14–18 July 2025
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
MDPI will be attending the 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.
The 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society will be jointly hosted by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS). The overarching conference theme, “Engineering Medicine, Innovating Healthcare”, underscores the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration and new ways of driving transformative advancements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
We cordially invite you to join us as we embark on a journey to revolutionize healthcare through innovation, AI, and technology integration. We look forward to seeing you in Copenhagen in July 2025!
The following MDPI journals will be represented:
- Diagnostics;
- AI;
- BioMedInformatics;
- JCM;
- Biomimetics;
- Bioengineering;
- IJERPH;
- Diseases;
- Journal of Imaging;
- Sensors;
- Eng;
- Biosensors;
- MTI;
- Reports;
- Anatomia;
- Biomed;
- Surgical Techniques Development;
- Biotech;
- Signals;
- Tomography.
If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information, please visit https://embc.embs.org/2025/.
21 May 2025
Meet Us at the Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium 2025, 19–20 June 2025, Toronto, Canada
Conference: Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium 2025
Date: 19–20 June 2025
Location: Hilton Downtown Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Learn about the latest research innovations and clinical updates that are changing the trajectory of care at the Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium. Taking a truly multidisciplinary approach, world-class experts share knowledge spanning surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, and primary care. Researchers also share innovative therapies and evidence-based approaches that can be translated into surgical and clinical practice.
The following MDPI journals will be presented:
- Current Oncology;
- Cancers;
- IJTM;
- Onco;
- Diseases;
- Women;
- Vaccines;
- Targets;
- Medical Sciences;
- Surgeries;
- Therapeutics;
- Immuno;
- Tomography;
- Clinics and Practice.
Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth at the conference and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.breastsymposium.ca/.
20 May 2025
Meet Us at the ESC Congress 2025, 29 August–1 September 2025, Madrid, Spain
Conference: ESC Congress 2025
Date: 29 August–1 September 2025
Location: Madrid, Spain
We will be attending the ESC Congress 2025 together with the World Congress of Cardiology as an exhibitor. The event will take place in Madrid, Spain, from 29 August to 1 September 2025.
Organized by the European Society of Cardiology, the ESC Congress 2025 will focus on the theme “Cardiology Beyond Borders – Global Health”, highlighting the evolving role of cardiovascular disease within the broader global health landscape.
The following Open Access journals will be represented:
- JCM;
- JCDD;
- Healthcare;
- Biomedicines;
- Cardiogenetics;
- IJTM;
- Hearts;
- Medicina;
- IJERPH;
- Diseases;
- Genes;
- EJIHPE;
- JPM;
- Clinics and Practice;
- Tomography.
If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #B206 and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-Events/ESC-Congress.
13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025
MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.
Workshop Highlights:
- Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
- How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
- How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
- Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
- How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.
Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University
Program:
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Speakers |
Program and Content |
Time |
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Dr. Stephen Mora |
Introduction to MDPI |
12:00–12:05 p.m. |
|
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How to Write and Structure a Research Article |
12:05–12:45 p.m. |
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How to Respond to Reviewer Comments |
12:45–1:30 p.m. |

6 May 2025
World Asthma Day—“Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for All”, 6 May 2025
World Asthma Day is held on the first Tuesday in May, aiming to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a World Health Organization collaborative organization founded in 1993. In celebration of World Asthma Day 2025, GINA has chosen the theme “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for All”. GINA emphasizes the need to ensure that people with asthma can access inhaled medications that are essential both for controlling the underlying disease and treating attacks.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases that affects over 260 million people and is responsible for over 450,000 deaths each year worldwide. Most of these deaths are preventable. Inhaled corticosteroid-containing medications prevent asthma attacks by treating the underlying inflammation that causes asthma. Doctors and allied health care professionals are called upon to ensure that every person with asthma is prescribed evidence-based, essential, inhaled corticosteroid-containing medication in addition to (or in combination with) reliever medication, to prevent the continuing but avoidable morbidity and mortality from asthma.
In celebration of this day, we invite you to explore a curation of insightful articles, journals, and Special Issues across various fields, including human diseases and conditions, human nutrition, children’s health, and personalized medicine. By sharing these findings, we hope to call on everyone to increase our efforts in managing asthma to reduce and prevent attacks.


“Burden and Economic Impact of Respiratory Viral Infections in Adults Aged 60 and Older: A Focus on RSV”
by Adrián Peláez, Sara Jimeno Ruiz, Mercedes Villarreal, Manuel Gil, Inés Gutiérrez, Marta Sanz and Silvina Natalini Martínez
Diseases 2025, 13(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13020035
“Long-Term Greenness Effects of Urban Forests to Reduce PM10 Concentration: Does the Impact Benefit the Population Vulnerable to Asthma?”
by Jinsuk Jeong, Chaewan Kim, Sumin Choi, Hong-Duck Sou and Chan-Ryul Park
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020167
“Sinonasal Outcomes Obtained after 2 Years of Treatment with Benralizumab in Patients with Severe Eosinophilic Asthma and CRSwNP: A “Real-Life” Observational Study”
by Eugenio De Corso, Dario Antonio Mele, Angela Rizzi, Camilla Spanu, Marco Corbò, Serena Pisciottano, Rodolfo Francesco Mastrapasqua, Silvia Baroni, Davide Paolo Porru, Gabriele De Maio et al.
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(9), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14091014
“Current Challenges in Pediatric Asthma”
by Andrija Miculinić, Iva Mrkić Kobal, Tin Kušan, Mirjana Turkalj and Davor Plavec
Children 2024, 11(6), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060632
“Prediction of Asthma Exacerbations in Children”
by Evangelia Sarikloglou, Sotirios Fouzas and Emmanouil Paraskakis
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14010020
“Characterization and Factors Associated with Poor Asthma Control in Adults with Severe Eosinophilic Asthma”
by Clara Padró-Casas, María Basagaña, María Luisa Rivera-Ortún, Ignasi García-Olivé, Carlos Pollan-Guisasola, Aina Teniente-Serra, Eva Martínez-Cáceres, José-Tomás Navarro, Jorge Abad-Capa, Antoni Rosell et al.
J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(7), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13071173
“Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Related to Vitamin D Metabolism and the Risk of Developing Asthma”
by Susana Rojo-Tolosa, Laura Elena Pineda-Lancheros, José María Gálvez-Navas, José Antonio Sánchez-Martínez, María Victoria González-Gutiérrez, Andrea Fernández-Alonso, Concepción Morales-García, Alberto Jiménez-Morales and Cristina Pérez-Ramírez
Nutrients 2023, 15(4), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040823
“Racial Disparities and Common Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children of the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
by Elizabeth A. K. Jones, Amal K. Mitra and Shelia Malone
Diseases 2023, 11(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11010023
“Microbiome and Asthma: Microbial Dysbiosis and the Origins, Phenotypes, Persistence, and Severity of Asthma”
by José Valverde-Molina and Luis García-Marcos
Nutrients 2023, 15(3), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030486
“Effect of Disease Severity, Age of Child, and Clinic No-Shows on Unscheduled Healthcare Use for Childhood Asthma at an Academic Medical Center”
by Pavani Rangachari, Imran Parvez, Audrey-Ann LaFontaine, Christopher Mejias, Fahim Thawer, Jie Chen, Niharika Pathak and Renuka Mehta
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021508

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“Pulmonary Function in Children with Respiratory Symptoms” |
“Mechanisms of Airway Inflammation in Asthma” |
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30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts

Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science
Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.
Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.
Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.
A closer look at the achievement
Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals.
For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.
Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.
“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing
“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead
Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/
Looking to the future
This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.
Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.
Impactful Research

Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program
I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe.
The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.
Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI
MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.

These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.
Our IOAP Team
A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.
These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.
What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?
For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.
For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.
Inside MDPI

MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment
Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.
Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html
Why is this important?
As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”
Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.
At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.
About the authors

Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.

Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.
Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.
Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.
Coming Together for Science

Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security

Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.
It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.
The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.
The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.

From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!
Awards
Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).
Plants 2025 Conference Team
The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).

Upcoming event

5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)
As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.
Find more upcoming MDPI events here.
Closing Thoughts

Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.
Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.
MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden

“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.
“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”
Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:
- The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
- Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
- In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
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