Announcements
1 October 2025
2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers
30 March 2024
Recruiting Editorial Board Members for Healthcare
14 October 2025
MDPI Academic Publishing Workshop with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) Held on 30 September 2025
MDPI, in collaboration with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), successfully organized an Academic Publishing Workshop held on 30 September 2025. The event aimed to demystify the open access publishing model and enhance critical academic writing skills, providing attendees with valuable, practical insights across the publishing journey.
The workshop began with an Introduction to Open Access and MDPI, led by Dr. Amy Cham. She provided a foundational overview of the open access model, explaining its core principles and significant role in the future of research dissemination. This was followed by an introduction to MDPI, highlighting its role as a prominent open access publisher dedicated to accelerating scientific exchange.
Next, Dr. Cham conducted an essential session “Writing and Structuring an Academic Paper”. Participants received a clear, step-by-step guide to preparing a submission-ready manuscript. Key areas covered included crafting compelling abstracts and introductions, detailing the methodology, presenting results, and synthesizing findings in the discussion sections.
The event concluded with a highly practical session, “How to Respond to Peer Reviewers”, presented by Ms. Marijana Maric. She offered strategic advice on navigating reviewer feedback and covered essential skills and strategies for responding to various scenarios. Ms. Maric stressed the importance of maintaining a constructive and positive attitude during the revision process to increase a manuscript's likelihood of acceptance.
A particularly insightful moment occurred during the peer review session when a participant asked about handling conflicting feedback. Dr. Sean Lam shared his experience, advising authors to acknowledge both sides of the critique while carefully evaluating which suggestion is most scientifically sound, aligns best with the study's scope, or most effectively improves the paper.
MDPI Singapore is dedicated to supporting the academic community in the region, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have collaborated with SingHealth. We look forward to future partnerships and to continuing our mission of empowering the next generation of researchers with the tools they need to share their work with the world. For more information on future workshops and collaborations, please contact us at marketing-singapore@mdpi.com.
11 October 2025
World Mental Health Day—“Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies”, 10 October 2025
October 10 is World Mental Health Day, and its objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what needs to be achieved to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
In recognition of this important day, we recommend the following related articles, Special Issues and journals spanning multidisciplinary fields, including clinical medicine. We believe th.at promoting such research contributes to enhanced public awareness of mental health.
| Medicine & Pharmacology |
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Environment & Ecology |
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/WMHDW2025
Keynote Speakers:
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| Professor Nicola Magnavita | Dr. Donatella Rita Petretto | Dr. Marios Adamou |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy | University of Cagliari, Italy | University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom |
Free to register for this webinar here!
“Bridging Disciplines: Integrating Mental Health and Education to Promote Immigrant Student Wellbeing”
by Vanja Pejic, Kristin Russo, Rhode Milord-LeBlanc, Kayla Mehjabin Parr, Sara Whitcomb and Robyn S. Hess
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1254; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091254
“Reattribution of Auditory Hallucinations Throughout Avatar Therapy: A Case Series”
by Sabrina Giguère, Mélissa Beaudoin, Laura Dellazizzo, Kingsada Phraxayavong, Stéphane Potvin and Alexandre Dumais
Reports 2025, 8(3), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8030113
“New Agents in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: What Innovations and in What Areas of Psychopathology?”
by Paola Bozzatello, Roberta Novelli, Rebecca Schisano, Claudio Brasso, Paola Rocca and Silvio Bellino
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(5), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18050665
“Public Perceptions of Urban Green Spaces: Effects on Physical and Mental Health”
by Regina Veckalne, Asomkhodja Saidkhodjaev and Tatjana Tambovceva
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(4), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9040128
“Exploring the Role of Guilt in Eating Disorders: A Pilot Study”
by Fabiola Raffone, Danilo Atripaldi, Eugenia Barone, Luigi Marone, Marco Carfagno, Francesco Mancini, Angelo Maria Saliani and Vassilis Martiadis
Clin. Pract. 2025, 15(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract15030056
“Psychedelic-Induced Neural Plasticity: A Comprehensive Review and a Discussion of Clinical Implications”
by Francesco Weiss, Anna Magnesa, Matteo Gambini, Riccardo Gurrieri, Eric Annuzzi, Camilla Elefante, Giulio Perugi and Donatella Marazziti
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15020117
“The Mind Under Pressure: What Roles Does Education Play in the Relationship Between Chronic Stress and Cognitive Ability?”
by Maximilian Seitz and Diana Steger
J. Intell. 2025, 13(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13020013
“The Association Between Childhood Experience of Living with a Heavy Drinker and Self-Rated Mental Health in the Adult General Population”
by Danica Romac, Varja Gaić Đogaš, Ljiljana Muslić, Sandro Krašić, Marija Kušan Jukić and Sanja Musić Milanović
Diseases 2025, 13(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13020028
“Exploring Psychological Distress Among Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities: The Impact of Age, Gender, and Disability Type”
by Nimrod Polak and Ephraim S. Grossman
Disabilities 2024, 4(4), 1044-1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4040065
“Changes in Adolescent Heterosexual Behaviors from the 1980s to the Present in Various Western Countries: A Systematic Review”
by José Luis Martínez-Álvarez, Mᵃ Rosario Pozo-García and Judit García-Martín
Sexes 2024, 5(4), 652-669; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5040042
“Incorporating Evidence of Migrant Women with Schizophrenia into a Women’s Clinic”
by Alexandre González-Rodríguez, Bruma Palacios-Hernández, Mentxu Natividad, Leah C. Susser, Jesús Cobo, Elisa Rial, Helena Cachinero, Eduard Izquierdo, Mireia Salvador, Ariadna Balagué et al.
Women 2024, 4(4), 416-434; https://doi.org/10.3390/women4040032
“Early Detection of Mental Health Crises through Artificial-Intelligence-Powered Social Media Analysis: A Prospective Observational Study”
by Masab A. Mansoor and Kashif H. Ansari
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(9), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14090958
“Single-Item Assessment of Quality of Life: Associations with Well-Being, Mood, Health Correlates, and Lifestyle”
by Joris C. Verster, Emina Išerić, Guusje A. Ulijn, Stephanie M. P. Oskam and Johan Garssen
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5217; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175217
“Definitions of Ageing According to the Perspective of the Psychology of Ageing: A Scoping Review”
by Luca Gaviano, Roberto Pili, Andrea Domenico Petretto, Roberta Berti, Gian Pietro Carrogu, Martina Pinna and Donatella Rita Petretto
Geriatrics 2024, 9(5), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9050107
“Evaluating the Connection between MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs for the Establishment of the Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosis”
by Cătălin Prodan-Bărbulescu, Edward Paul Şeclăman, Virgil Enătescu, Ionuţ Flaviu Faur, Laura Andreea Ghenciu, Paul Tuţac, Paul Paşca and Laura Octavia Grigoriţă
Biomedicines 2024, 12(3), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12030516
“Quality of Life and Incidence of Clinical Signs and Symptoms among Caregivers of Persons with Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study”
by Vasiliki Oikonomou, Evgenia Gkintoni, Constantinos Halkiopoulos and Evangelos C. Karademas
Healthcare 2024, 12(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020269
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“Progress and Innovation in the Clinical Management of Psychosis” |
“Molecular Psychiatry and Antipsychotics” |
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“Current Issues in Cognitive Testing of Older Adults” |
“Job Satisfaction and Mental Health of Workers: Second Edition” |
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“Innovations in Youth Psychiatry and Psychology: Challenges and Advances” |
“Mental Health Across the Lifespan: Integrating Multidisciplinary Perspectives” |
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“Mental Health: Clinical Advances in Personalized Medicine” |
“Advances in the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Other Psychiatric Disorders” |
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“Urban Green Space and Health” |
“Mental Health and the Natural Environment” |
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8 October 2025
International Day of the Girl Child—“The Girl I Am, the Change I Lead”, 11 October 2025
International Day of the Girl Child 2025, which will be celebrated on 11 October, is a day that commemorates 30 years since the Beijing Declaration—a set of principles to work towards gender equality, to call to action to share girls’ stories, advocate for change, and create girl-led spaces. This year’s theme—“The girl I am, the change I lead”—draws attention to the girls who are stepping up to lead and facing the challenges of today’s world.
In recognition of International Day of the Girl Child 2025, MDPI supports the efforts in sharing the stories of girls from across the world. Through open access publishing, we invite you to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals that span fields from social sciences, arts and humanities to medicine and pharmacology.
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““If You Are Raped, You Are Like Secondhand”: Systemic Barriers to Reporting Sexual Violence Against School-Aged Girls in a Rural Community in Kenya”
by Leso Munala, Hannah Resendiz Olson and Courtney Johnson
Sexes 2025, 6(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes6010012
“An Emergent Rebellion: Activist Engagement with Ann-Helén Laestadius’ Coming-of-Age Novel Stöld (Stolen: A Novel)”
by Sofia Ahlberg and Suzanne Ericson
Humanities 2025, 14(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/h14030060
“Thrown to the (Were)Wolves: Sisterhood, Vengeance, and Liberal Feminism in Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle’s Squad”
by Jessica Caravaggio
Humanities 2025, 14(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/h14010003
“Redefining Leadership: The Role of Spirituality and Motherhood in Muslim Women’s Educational Leadership”
by Fella Lahmar
Religions 2024, 15(12), 1565; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121565
“Loving the Sport, Loving the Self: Devotion and Defiance in Furia”
by Wendy J. Glenn
Literature 2024, 4(4), 296–305; https://doi.org/10.3390/literature4040021
“Lucidity of Space and Gendered Performativity in Arabic Digital Literature”
by Manal al-Natour
Humanities 2024, 13(5), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/h13050112
“Placebo Effects on the Enjoyment of Physical Activity and Performance among Kindergarten Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
by Marlies Stopper, Albert Wabnegger and Anne Schienle
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(8), 2435–2444; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14080161
“Mothers’ Responses to Children’s Emotions and Children’s Behavior: The Mediating Role of Children’s Emotion Regulation”
by Catarina Rolo, Eva Diniz, Alessandra Babore and Tânia Brandão
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(7), 1940–1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14070129
“Health Providers’ Response to Female Adolescent Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Demand Side Barriers in the Utilization of Support Services in Urban Low-Income Communities of Nigeria”
by Olutoyin Opeyemi Ikuteyijo, Andrea Kaiser-Grolimund, Michael D. Fetters, Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi and Sonja Merten
Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11192627
“Early Educational Interventions to Prevent Gender-Based Violence: A Systematic Review”
by Lourdes Villardón-Gallego, Alba García-Cid, Ana Estévez and Rocío García-Carrión
Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010142
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“Improving Adolescent Girls’ and Women’s Health and Nutrition” |
“Fairy Tales: Visions and Revisions” |
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2 October 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #27 - OASPA 2025, COUNTER 5.1, UK Summit in London, MDPI at the Italian Senate
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
MDPI at OASPA 2025: Embracing the Complexity of Open Access
From 22 to 24 September, I joined the OASPA 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium, where the theme, “Embracing the Complexity – How do we get to 100% Open Access?” tackled the hard questions about the future of scholarly communication.
With MDPI a longstanding member of the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA) and Platinum sponsor of the conference, I was invited to present and participate in important discussions on how we can continue to move the needle in Open Access (OA) publishing.
From 50% to 100% Open Access
Last year’s OASPA conference celebrated a major milestone – reaching 50% of global research outputs published as OA. But, as noted during the conference, this was the “easy” part. The challenge ahead is much tougher: how do we take OA from 50% to 100%? For many academics and institutions, OA is still relatively new, and thus it is essential for us to continue educating people as to what OA is, how it works, and why it matters.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) presenting at OASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium.
MDPI’s perspective
At MDPI, we are fully committed to this. As a 100% OA publisher, our growth is inseparable from the success of OA itself. In many ways, MDPI is a byproduct of the global adoption of OA, and we play an important role in helping to advance it further.
I had the opportunity to share MDPI’s perspective in the panel discussion entitled: "Hello from the other side: views from fully Open Access journals using APCs," alongside industry colleagues from PLOS, eLife, AOSIS, and Frontiers.
Instead of giving a standard presentation, I highlighted aspects of MDPI that the audience might not be aware of. I also presented on the opportunities and challenges facing publishers that are already fully OA, the importance of diverse models in achieving 100% OA, and why OA is the baseline while Open Science is the future.
Recognizing Gold OA
As part of the panel, I had undertaken to make some bold and provocative statements. I therefore emphasized a point that is sometimes overlooked: we didn’t reach 50% OA without Gold OA – it accounts for more than half of all OA publications today. And we certainly won’t reach 100% OA without it.
“By educating the community and working together, we can continue to take Open Science to the next level”
“When people speak about Gold OA and MDPI, they should ‘put some respek on our name.”
MDPI is a leader in Gold OA and has been a driver of this progress at scale.
While Gold OA and MDPI are sometimes slighted, both deserve recognition for their contributions to advancing Open Science globally.
I closed my presentation with a reminder that the good we do is sometimes overlooked, and that when people speak about Gold OA and MDPI, they should "put some respek on our name."
I’m pleased to have seen attendees sharing positive experiences with MDPI, reminding us that we bring real value to the OA movement and deserve a stronger reputation. We also engaged in constructive conversations about various topics, including cost transparency.
A few themes that I took away from the conference:
- Quality and integrity matter as much as access. OA publishers must not lose sight of research integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability while pursuing 100% OA.
- Global collaboration is essential. Policies, funding models, and infrastructure differ around the world, and we will need cross-border collaboration to make OA a truly global reality.
- Open Science is the bigger story. OA is just the first step – the future lies in open data, open peer review, research reproducibility, etc.
“MDPI’s scale allows us to better support authors, reinvest in communities, and push Open Science forward”
How we communicate MDPI’s role
For us at MDPI, this is also a reminder of how we communicate externally. When we tell our story, we shouldn’t forget to start with the bigger picture – Open Science and Open Access. Then we connect it to MDPI, our journals, services, and initiatives, exemplifying the fact that we are part of a mission larger than ourselves.
MDPI colleagues Clàudia Aunós (Society Partnerships), Marta Colomer (External Affairs), Stefan Tochev (CEO), and Nikola Paunovic (Scilit), at OASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium.
The journey to 100% OA will not be simple. But by educating the community and working together, we can continue to take Open Science to the next level.
Impactful Research
MDPI becomes COUNTER 5.1 compliant across 480+ Journals
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has officially become COUNTER 5.1 compliant and has joined the COUNTER Registry.
For those who might not be familiar with it, COUNTER provides international standards for tracking and reporting how research is being used. By becoming COUNTER 5.1 compliant, MDPI can now deliver credible, comparable, and transparent usage reports across our entire journal portfolio.
“MDPI is showing that they want to be measured against the same yardstick as other publishers”
Why is this important?
Because usage statistics aren’t just numbers: they’re powerful tools that help our authors, institutions, and consortia understand the real impact of their research. With COUNTER compliant reports, our institutional partners can now make more informed decisions about publishing agreements, funding allocations, and the long-term value of Open Access.
In practical terms, MDPI will now provide Platform, Title, and Item Reports, with standardized usage views available at the institute and consortium level. These reports cover usage from January 2024 onwards and will be updated monthly. Institutions will be able to access them via SuSy, or automatically through the COUNTER API.
I’d like to highlight and thank Becky Castellon, our Institutional Partnerships Manager, who has played a key role in driving this project forward. Becky captured it perfectly when she said: "Through these usage reports, our global research community can access trustworthy data about how their work is being used and accessed
This information is often vital for reviewing publishing partnership agreements and for making informed decisions about future funding allocations."
We also received encouraging feedback from Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director at COUNTER Metrics:
"We’re delighted to see born-OA publishers engaging with COUNTER. Our normalised usage metrics are relied on as the basis for credible return-on-investment calculations by libraries worldwide. By adopting the COUNTER standard, MDPI is showing that they want to be measured against the same yardstick as other publishers."
For MDPI, this milestone is another step in our commitment to transparency, trust, and impact. By adopting COUNTER’s standards, we’re not just aligning with best practice; we’re ensuring that Open Access publishing is measured on the same terms as traditional publishing, proving its value in concrete and globally recognized ways.
This is an important milestone for MDPI, but more importantly for the researchers, librarians, and institutions we serve. Transparency builds trust, and COUNTER compliance helps us show the global reach and influence of Open Access publishing in the clearest way possible.
Inside Research
Lin Li (Publisher, MDPI), Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI, Prof. Chengkuo Lee (Editor-in-Chief, AI Sensors), and Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing) at restaurant in Basel, Switzerland.
Welcoming Prof. Lee (EiC of AI Sensors) to Basel
On 11 September, we welcomed Prof. Dr. Chengkuo Lee, Editor-in-Chief of our new journal AI Sensors, to our Basel office. Prof. Lee is a high profiled researcher (h-index 104, 37,000+ citations), a longtime collaborator with MDPI (25 published articles), and has already chaired several AI Sensors (AIS)-related conferences with us, including the recent event in Kuala Lumpur, where AI Sensors held its first editorial board meeting.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) showing Special Issue reprint books as part of a tour of MDPI’s Basel office.
Every journal has a story
During his visit, we exchanged ideas on how to build the journal’s identity and impact. A key takeaway that I shared was that every journal has a story: its vision, its purpose, and the community it brings together.
That story is what connects with readers and authors, beyond metrics alone.
I encouraged everyone working on journals to reflect: What is the story of your journal? And how can you bring that story to the forefront in how you communicate about it?
How MDPI supports new journals
Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing, MDPI) presenting on the MDPI indexing process at the company’s headquarters in Basel.
We also shared with Prof. Lee how MDPI supports journals through our Institutional Open Access Program, indexing expertise, and the work of our Journal Relationship Specialists.
Launching a new journal is ambitious, but with our strong track record (93% Scopus and 87% Web of Science acceptance rates in 2024), Prof. Lee felt confident that AI Sensors will find its place in the scholarly landscape.
Having spent some hours together, it’s clear that Prof. Lee is not only an Editor-in-Chief but also an ambassador for MDPI. His leadership and collaboration reflect the mission MDPI by which MDPI lives: accelerating Open Access and advancing Open Science.
Special thanks to Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing), Ting Leng (JRS, Managing Editor, AI Sensors), Lin Li (Publisher, AI Sensors), Aimar Xiong (Publisher), and Christian Eberhard (Office Administrator, Basel), for organizing and hosting the meeting.
Coming Together for Science
Highlights from the MDPI UK Summit in London
I was pleased to be back in the UK in September, supporting our Manchester team in hosting their first MDPI Summit in London. This day-and-a-half private event brought together 25 Chief Editors and Associate Editors to exchange knowledge, learn about latest developments at MDPI, and engage in discussions on advancing Open Science. The program included MDPI and guest presentations, and Q&A sessions.
Why these summits matter
Our Summits provide a platform to:
- Share updates on the latest developments at MDPI, our editorial processes, research integrity practices, and indexing.
- Highlight collaborations with institutions and societies in the region.
- Offer external perspectives from guest speakers.
- Create space for Chief Editors to share their insights, ask questions, network, and help shape MDPI’s path forward.
These gatherings are more than updates: they improve our relationships with Chief Editors, who serve not only as leaders of their journals but also as ambassadors for MDPI within the research community. We often hear that this type of event is unique, something many other publishers do not provide. It shows that we care and are willing to go the extra mile to recognize and engage our key collaborators.
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MDPI and the UK: Key facts
- With over 80,000 publications, the UK is MDPI’s eighth-largest contributor.
- MDPI is the fourth-largest publisher in the UK, accounting for 11% of the country’s 89,526 Open Access publications in 2024.
- We collaborate with more than 4,000 active UK Editorial Board Members, 48% of whom have an H-index above 26. This includes 49 Editors-in-Chief and 74 Section Editors-in-Chief.
- MDPI maintains over 1,000 IOAP agreements worldwide, with 63 from the UK.
“We are willing to go the extra mile to recognize and engage our key collaborators”
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Agenda highlights:
- MDPI Overview, Open Access, and UK Collaboration – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process – Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead, MDPI)
- Research Integrity and Publication Ethics – Daisy Fenton (Research Integrity Specialist, MDPI)
- Institutional Partnerships – Becky Castellon (Institutional Partnerships Manager, MDPI)
- Promoting and Developing Your Journal – Prof. Fabio Tosti (Editor-in-Chief of NDT)
- Indexing to Impact – Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead, MDPI)
- Engaging our Academic Community – Jaime Anderson Anderson (UK Operations Manager, MDPI)
- Closing Remarks – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
MDPI colleagues Stefan Tochev (CEO), Jaime Anderson Anderson (UK Operations Manager), Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead), Becky Castellon (Institutional Partnerships Manager), Daisy Fenton (Research Integrity Specialist) at the MDPI UK 2025 Summit in London.
Thank you!
A special thank-you to the Manchester team and all colleagues behind the scenes who made this Summit a success. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. We look forward to building on this momentum with future Summits in Europe and beyond.
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI) and Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) participating in a press conference at the Italiane Senate in Rome to promote the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Medicine (ICEM)
MDPI at the Italian Senate: Promoting Environmental Medicine and Open Science
On 16 September, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead) and I had the honour of participating in a press conference at the Italian Senate in Rome, organized by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) to promote the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Environmental Medicine (ICEM) (20–21 November 2025).
This is an important event for MDPI, as we are the exclusive publishing partner for ICEM and have recently launched a new journal with SIMA, further building our presence both in Italy and within this important field of research.
Why this matters
- The promotion of ICEM has received extensive national media coverage (more than 15 mentions in major Italian outlets; see links below).
- The press conference brought together leading policymakers, academics, and Nobel Laureates to emphasize the impact of environmental exposures and epigenetics on human health.
- We were introduced to government ministries, university rectors, and influential stakeholders, which helps us bolster MDPI’s visibility and reputation in Italy.
Highlights
Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts joined the discussion, underlining the importance of environmental medicine in shaping future health outcomes. Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Tong Zhu (Peking University) will also speak at the November conference.
Institutional representatives included the Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, the Italian Undersecretary for Health, and senior officials from the World Health Organization.
In my closing remarks, I highlighted that:
“Over the past five years, about 65% of research published in Italy has been Open Access, compared to an average of 55% worldwide.”
Italian research ranked seventh among the top 20 countries in average citations during this period, reflecting its strong international influence. Not only is Italy producing a high volume of research; it is also producing research of outstanding quality.
MDPI’s role
This event was not only about promoting ICEM but also about showcasing MDPI’s commitment to Open Access and our ability to connect scientific publishing with leading academic, medical, and policy institutions.
As Giulia Stefenelli noted:
“This event was highly relevant for MDPI, as it not only showcased our strong commitment to OA but also emphasized our role in advancing important fields such as Environmental Medicine.”
Learn more
- Watch the full press conference (Radio Radicale)
- Giulia’s speech: 33:20 (in Italian)
- Stefan’s speech: 57:50 (in English)
- ICEM 2025 Conference Program
- Selected media coverage:
This moment at the Italian Senate shows how MDPI can connect publishing with science, policy, and society to help advance both Open Science and environmental health research on a global stage.
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In Rome with Sir Richard Roberts (photo left) and Prof. Giuseppe Novelli (EiC of MDPI journal COVID).
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
2 October 2025
International Day of Non-Violence, 2 October 2025
The International Day of Non-Violence, which takes place on 2 October to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of his philosophy of peaceful resistance. This day encourages us to reaffirm our commitment to dialogue over division, compassion over conflict, and the belief that humanity’s greatest strength lies in building a culture of peace.
We invite you to explore our selected articles, Special Issues, and journals, which span topics such as gender-based, intimate partner, and obstetric violence, as well as sexual violence prevention. We hope that established journals at MDPI will provide a communication platform for innovative ideas regarding new challenges.
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Invited Speakers:
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| Dr. Marty Branagan, University of New England, Australia |
Prof.Dr. Wolfgang Palaver, University of Innsbruk, Austria |
Prof. Dr. Dale T. Snauwaert, University of Innsbruck, Austria |
Dr. Mohamed Behnassi, Social and Environmental Council and Center for Environment, Human Security and Governance, Morocco |
Dr. Marwan Darweish, Centre for Peace and Security, Coventry University, United Kingdom |
Free to register for this webinar here!
“Leveraging an Arts-Based Approach to Foster Engagement, Nurture Kindness, and Prevent Violence”
by Yok-Fong Paat, Diego Garcia Tovar, Nathan W. Myers, Max C. E. Orezzoli, Anne M. Giangiulio, Sarah L. Ruiz, Angela V. Dorado and Luis R. Torres-Hostos
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060799
“From Policy Reform to Public Reckoning: Exploring Shifts in the Reporting of Sexual-Violence-Against-Women Victimizations in the United States Between 1992 and 2021”
by Jessica C. Fleming, Ashley K. Fansher and Ryan Randa
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050701
“Violence Against Administrators: The Roles of Student, School, and Community Strengths and Cultural Pluralism”
by Susan D. McMahon, Andrew H. Perry, Taylor Swenski, Kailyn Bare, Jared Hunt, Andrew Martinez, Linda A. Reddy, Eric M. Anderman, Ron Avi Astor, Dorothy L. Espelage et al.
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040556
“Intimate Partner Violence in Adolescent Girls: The Role of Impulsivity and Emotional Dysregulation”
by Iciar Iruarrizaga, Lorena Gutierrez, Leticia Olave, Ana Estevez, Jose Antonio Muniz, Janire Momene, Maria Dolores Chavez-Vera and Cecilia Penacoba
Psychiatry Int. 2025, 6(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6020041
“Building Teachers’ Confidence and Critical Thinking Through Scientific Evidence with Social Impact in Gender Violence Prevention”
by Aitor Alzaga, Josep-Maria Canal-Barbany, Sara Carbonell, Daniela Ferreira, Carolina Grau del Valle, Louise Lima, Mar Joanpere, Garazi Lopez de Anguileta, Esther Oliver, Ines Vaz et al.
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15040407
“Changes in Psychological Inflexibility and Intimate Partner Violence Among Men in an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention Program”
by Amie Zarling, Meg Berta and Ashlyn Miller
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030317
“Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Experiences of Racialised Brazilian Women in Portugal: An Analysis of Obstetric Violence as Gender-Based Violence”
by Mariana Holanda Rusu, Conceicao Nogueira and Joana Topa
Sexes 2024, 5(4), 611-637; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5040040
“Youth Engagement in Sexual Violence Prevention Programs and Research: A Systematic Review”
by Linnea L. Hjelm
Sexes 2024, 5(3), 411-427; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5030030
“Gender Differences in Sexting and Its Association with Well-Being and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization from Adolescence to Old Age”
by M. Pilar Matud
Sexes 2024, 5(3), 335-350; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5030025
“The Violent Implications of Opposition to the Istanbul Convention”
by Conny Roggeband and Andrea Krizsan
Societies 2024, 14(6), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14060092
“The Nonviolence Conundrum: Political Peace and Personal Karma in Jain and Hindu Traditions”
by Veena R. Howard
Religions 2023, 14(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14020178
“Early Educational Interventions to Prevent Gender-Based Violence: A Systematic Review”
by Lourdes Villardon-Gallego, Alba Garcia-Cid, Ana Esteves and Rocio Garcia-Carrion
Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010142
| “Inclusion and Equity for Students with Special Educational Needs: Trends, Tensions, and Tactics” Guest Editors: Dr. Wendi Beamish and Dr. Stephen Hay Submission deadline: 6 February 2026 |
“The Impact of Bullying and School Violence on Youth Mental Health” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Christopher C. Henrich and Prof. Dr. Erin B. Tone Submission deadline: 20 February 2026 |
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| “Religion and Conflict, Religion and Peace: Demystifying the Role of Religion in Conflict Dynamics” Guest Editor: Dr. Jeremy Rinker Submission deadline: 31 March 2026 |
“Precision Psychiatry and Advances in Patient Care: Innovations Transforming the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders” Guest Editors: Dr. Antonio Del Casale, Prof. Dr. Paolo Girardi, Prof. Dr. Carlo Lai, Prof. Dr. Maurizio Simmaco and Dr. Marina Borro. Submission deadline: 7 April 2026 |
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1 October 2025
MDPI Webinar | International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2025
MDPI is launching a special webinar to commemorate the International Day of Older Persons, encouraging researchers to share their knowledge to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities of ageing.
Population ageing is one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century, with implications for nearly all sectors of society. To recognize the contributions of older people and to highlight the importance of ensuring dignity, inclusion, and well-being in later life, the UN has designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons. This day calls for collective action to build a more inclusive and age-friendly future.
Date: 1 October 2025
Time: 14:00 CET | 20:00 CST
Webinar ID: 861 1005 5358
More information: https://sciforum.net/event/mIDoOP2
Register for free!
Program:
|
Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST (Asia) |
|
Host: Mrs. Crina Maria Marina |
14:00–14:10 |
20:00–20:10 |
|
Dr. David J. Ramsey |
14:10–14:30 |
20:10–20:30 |
|
Dr. Lydia Giménez-Llort |
14:30–14:50 |
20:30–20:50 |
|
Prof. Dr. Mario António Cardoso Marques |
14:50–15:10 |
20:50–21:10 |
|
Q&A Session |
15:10–15:20 |
21:10–21:20 |
|
Prof. Dr. Patricia Schofield |
15:20–15:40 |
21:20–21:40 |
|
Dr. Aprill Dawson |
15:40–16:00 |
21:40–22:00 |
|
Prof. Renato Sobral Monteiro Junior |
16:00–16:20 |
22:00–22:20 |
|
Q&A Session |
16:20–16:30 |
22:20–22:30 |
|
Host: Mrs. Crina Maria Marina |
16:30–16:40 |
22:30–22:40 |
This is a free webinar. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details regarding how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available for viewing.
Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. David J. Ramsey, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center / UMass Chan Medical School, USA;
- Dr. Lydia Giménez-Llort, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain;
- Prof. Dr. Mario António Cardoso Marques, University of Beira Interior, Portugal;
- Prof. Dr. Patricia Schofield, University of Plymouth, UK;
- Dr. Aprill Dawson, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA;
- Prof. Renato Sobral Monteiro Junior, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Brazil.
Relevant Special Issues:
“Health Information Behaviors and Health Literacy in Older Adults”
Guest Editors: Dr. Maryline Vivion and Dr. André Tourigny
Submission deadline: 31 January 2026
“Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition)”
Guest Editors: Dr. Alice Masini and Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Panella
Submission deadline: 10 May 2026
“Risk Factors, Intervention and Prevention of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease”
Guest Editors: Dr. Muhammad Sohail Khan and Dr. Muhammad Ikram
Submission deadline: 31 May 2026
“Writing in the Backlash”
Guest Editors: Dr. Maggie Tonkin and Dr. Brydie Kosmina
Submission deadline: 31 May 2026
30 September 2025
Nobel Prize — The Science Behind the Prize
Nobel Prizes are the world’s most prestigious recognition of scientific breakthroughs, honoring discoveries that push the boundaries of knowledge and reshape entire fields. They bring into the public eye researchers whose work might otherwise remain known only within specialized circles.
For many, winning a Nobel Prize is a surreal experience. Laureates often describe a mix of joy, humility, reflection, and gratitude for the teams and collaborators whose contributions made the achievement possible. Behind every Nobel-winning idea lies years of careful, incremental work—a process that often goes unseen.
When Prof. Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics in October 1979, his wife Louise, a legal scholar, reminded him to keep doing the ordinary hard work of science, joking: “Now you have to write some unimportant papers.” True to form, Weinberg continued to push the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe, showing that curiosity and dedication extend far beyond the moment of recognition (Hofmann 2025: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/17/6/840).
Discover the science behind the world’s most transformative ideas
Over the years, dozens of Nobel laureates have published their work with MDPI, entrusting our open access journals to disseminate their findings to a global audience. As of 2024, more than 40 laureates have contributed over 115 articles across 35 journals, ranging from pioneering research on microRNAs and mRNA therapeutics, to fundamental insights in theoretical physics, and advances in structural biology.
We regularly spotlight how Nobel Prize–winning research intersects with the contributions of our authors. This not only celebrates the achievements of the laureates, but also underscores the role of open access in ensuring that transformative science reaches the widest possible audience.
On this page, we invite you to explore selected works by Nobel laureates within the MDPI portfolio, and to join us in celebrating the global impact of their ideas.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 will be announced on October 6 at 11:30 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.
The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physiology or Medicine Roundtable
6 October 2025, 03:30 pm (CEST)
You are welcome to watch the recording here!
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 will be announced on October 7 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.
The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physics Roundtable
7 October 2025, 02:30 pm (CEST)
You are welcome to watch the recording here!
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 will be announced on October 8 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.
30 September 2025
Meet Us at the 2025 World Congress on Kinesiology and Sport Science, 25–27 October 2025, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea
