Announcements

Please join us in welcoming our new Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Steve W. Lyon, who has assumed editorial leadership over Sustainability (ISSN: 2071-1050) in September 2025. We would like to extend our gratitude to Prof. Dr. Marc A. Rosen for his commitment as Editor-in-Chief of Sustainability over the past few years.

Name: Prof. Dr. Steve W. Lyon
Homepage: https://senr.osu.edu/our-people/steven-w-lyon
Affiliation: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, USA
Interests: hydrology; water resources; sustainable development

Prof. Dr. Lyon attended Purdue University and graduated with a BSc in agricultural and biological engineering. He completed his MSc and PhD both in biological and environmental engineering at Cornell University, exploring how we incorporate the spatial structure of shallow water tables into hydrology. Prof. Dr. Lyon conducted his postdoctoral research at the University of Arizona, focusing on the evolution of land–water interactions in space and time. He joined the Department of Physical Geography at Stockholm University in 2008 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2016. During this time, he worked with The Nature Conservancy as a Freshwater and Conservation Scientist. Since August 2019, Prof. Dr. Steve W. Lyon has been a member of the faculty in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University, serving as an Associate Professor in Hydrology and Water Resources.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Steve W. Lyon, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the field of sustainability:

1. What is your vision for the journal?
My vision is to build on Sustainability’s strong foundation by fostering excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in research. I aim to further strengthen the rigor of our review process, enhance the quality of published science, and ensure the journal remains a global platform where interdisciplinary research informs meaningful change in academia, policy, industry, and society.

2. What are your thoughts on the growth of open access publishing?
Now more than ever, open access is essential for advancing transparent, reproducible, and widely accessible research. By removing barriers to knowledge sharing, it fosters collaboration, accelerates scientific progress, and ensures that high-quality scholarship informs both global dialogue and real-world solutions.

3. Could you briefly introduce your main research areas and achievements?
I work primarily in hydrology and water resources with my background in agricultural engineering. As water touches on so many aspects of life, from energy production to waste management to food security to environmental quality, my research tends to land broadly across sustainability science. My current interests include exploring the efficacy of conservation practices for treating agricultural runoff, understanding the implications and barriers for adoption of climate-smart practices, and establishing the potential for native vegetation to serve as nature-based solutions for flooding.

4. What attracted you to the journal and inspired you to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief?
I love the challenge of defining sustainability in a way that not only makes sense to academics but also has some utility for people. Sustainability continuously grows and evolves as a science becoming more nuanced every day, which is evidenced by the current breadth of our journal. In the role of Editor-in-Chief, I hope to further advance sustainability as a science by strengthening our communication around what sustainability is at its core and by emphasizing the fidelity across our published articles as they pertain to sustainability.

5. From your perspective, what are the anticipated key priorities and potential breakthroughs in sustainability research over the next five to ten years?
Technology is an easy answer here. The opportunities (and challenges) around artificial intelligence, big data, and sensor technology are bringing new ways to explore old problems. It is exciting to see how the interconnectedness of data collected across unprecedented spatiotemporal scales can be used to pinpoint impacts and influences among environmental, societal, and economic spaces. Of course, all this technology does nothing without a core understanding of the human dimensions where science interfaces with people through truly usable policies and secured livelihoods. As such, breakthroughs will come to sustainability through our co-creation of the science with those being impacted by the outcomes.

6. Do you have any advice for young researchers?
Do not shy away from interdisciplinary work. Yes, you need to be an expert in your field but there is a ton to learn from others. Leveraging expertise beyond your discipline can really help elevate the quality of the questions your research can answer. Further, bringing your expertise and experience to tackle a new problem in a new field can often bring about innovation.

We wish our new Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Steve W. Lyon, success in both his research and the development of the journal. Further details regarding the Editorial Board can be found via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/editors.

MDPI is launching a special webinar to commemorate the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (IDCABS) and encourage researchers to share their knowledge to raise awareness about the dangers of air pollution.

Air pollution is the leading environmental threat to human health, causing millions of premature deaths each year. In order to recognise its global impact, the UN has designated 7^th of September as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies to highlight the need for urgent action towards a sustainable future.

Date: 9 September 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CEST | 6:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 891 7022 7572

Register now for free!

Program

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on 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 to watch.

Webinar Chairs and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Suraj Bhagat, Marwadi University, India;
• Prof. Umberto Berardi, Politecnico di Bari, Italy;
• Dr. Linda Walters, University of Central Florida, USA.

Relevant Special Issues:

“Air Pollution: Health Risks and Mitigation Strategies”
Guest Editors: Dr. Gabriele Donzelli and Prof. Dr. María M. Morales Suárez-Varela
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025
Submit to Atmosphere

“Bio-Energy: Biogas, Biomethane and Green-Hydrogen”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. João Fernando Pereira Gomes
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025
Submit to Gases

“Air Quality in Indoor Environments, 3rd Edition”
Guest Editors: Dr. Ana Monteiro, Prof. Dr. Carla Viegas, Dr. Sandra Cabo Verde and Dr. Marina Almeida-Silva
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2026
Submit to Applied Sciences

“The Impact of Wildfires on Climate, Air Quality, and Human Health”
Guest Editors: Dr. Diogo Lopes and Dr. Estela Vicente
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026
Submit to Fire

“Air Pollution Exposure and Its Impact on Human Health”
Guest Editor: Dr. Nedim Durmus
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 July 2026
Submit to Air

Relevant feature papers:

“Mitigating Built Environment Air Pollution by Green Systems: An In-Depth Review”
by Serena Vitaliano, Stefano Cascone and Provvidenza Rita D’Urso
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(15), 6487; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156487

“Methanol, a Plugin Marine Fuel for Green House Gas Reduction—A Review”
by Dimitrios Parris, Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos, Konstantina Ragazou, Anna Giovou and Constantinos Tsanaktsidis
Energies 2024, 17(3), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030605

“Determination of Ozone Concentration Levels in Urban Environments Using a Laser Spectroscopy System”
by Mioara Petrus, Cristina Popa and Ana-Maria Bratu
Environments 2024, 11(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11010009

“Review of Satellite Remote Sensing of Carbon Dioxide Inversion and Assimilation”
by Kai Hu, Xinyan Feng, Qi Zhang, Pengfei Shao, Ziran Liu, Yao Xu, Shiqian Wang, Yuanyuan Wang, Han Wang, Li Di and Min Xia
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(18), 3394; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16183394

“An Overview of Waste-to-Energy Incineration Integrated with Carbon Capture Utilization or Storage Retrofit Application”
by Michele Bertone, Luca Stabile and Giorgio Buonanno
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104117

On 21 August 2025, MDPI, in collaboration with Taylor’s University and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, hosted a half-day Academic Publishing Workshop at Taylor’s University. The event gathered undergraduates, PhD students, early career researchers, and faculty members from both institutions.

The workshop opened with remarks from Associate Professor Dr. Camelia May Li Kusumo, Head of the School of Architecture, Building and Design, Taylor’s University, before moving into a series of engaging sessions. Dr. Colin Wee (MDPI Singapore) introduced MDPI, the principles of open access, and the editorial process, followed by key insights on common reasons for rejection at pre-check.

Dr. Lee Wei Thye then covered how to effectively respond to peer reviewers and shared practical advice on writing and structuring an academic paper. His session concluded with an interactive “Reviewer Says, You Respond” Skills Lab, where participants practiced drafting responses to reviewer comments.

In the afternoon, Dr. Colin discussed AI in Academic Writing, outlining MDPI’s approach to its use in publishing. This set the stage for a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Lee, featuring Prof. Ar. Dr. Lim Chin Haw (UKM), Prof. Wong Hyuk Nien (NUS), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Keith Tan Kay Hin (Taylor’s University), and Dr. Colin. The panellists shared their perspectives on AI as a tool in scholarly publishing, institutional challenges, and the need for clearer policies, with Professor Wong drawing parallels between AI-assisted language checks and traditional proofreading practices.

The workshop concluded with Prof. Wong Hyuk Nien offering valuable advice from his experience publishing in Q1 and Q2 journals, leaving participants with both practical strategies and words of encouragement.

MDPI warmly thanks Taylor’s University and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for their partnership, and the professors and speakers for their generous contributions. Above all, we are grateful to the participants whose enthusiasm and engagement made the workshop a success.

Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m
Location: The Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto

MDPI is thrilled to announce our participation in the University of Toronto’s largest career fair, taking place at the St. George Downtown Campus. This exciting event brings together thousands of students, graduates, and professionals looking to connect with top employers and explore career opportunities.

We invite all attendees to visit the MDPI booth to discover how you can be part of one of the world’s leading open access academic publishers. Whether you are passionate about scientific research, editorial work, marketing, or supporting global innovation in publishing, we want to meet YOU!

What to expect at our booth:

• Learn more about MDPI’s mission and global impact;
• Explore exciting career opportunities in publishing, editorial, communications, and more;
• Network with our team and ask questions about working at MDPI.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with MDPI. Bring your resume, your curiosity, and your questions—we look forward to seeing you there!

For additional information on the Career Fair and Open MDPI positions, please visit the following links:

• Learn more about the U of T Career Fair;
• Explore Careers with MDPI Canada.

Conference: 2025 Joint International Conference of Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements and the International Conference of Heavy Metals
Date: 22–26 September 2025
Location: Busan, Republic of Korea

MDPI will be attending the 2025 Joint International Conference of Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements and the International Conference of Heavy Metals (ICOBTE & ICHMET 2025), which will be held between 22 and 26 September 2025, as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from various backgrounds to visit our booth and share their latest ideas with us.

Environmental pollution remains a critical global issue, threatening human health, ecosystems, and the overall well-being of our planet. Thus, maintaining a clean environment for human Health is a constantly urgent need for a global society.

Under the theme “Catalyzing Change for Sustainability and ESG: Bridging Academia and Industry”, the 2025 Joint ICOBTE & ICHMET Conference focuses on innovative strategies to mitigate pollution, emphasizing the importance of trace element and heavy metal management in achieving a cleaner, healthier future. By bringing together scientists, researchers, early career scientists, end-users, industry leaders, policymakers, and other professionals from around the world, we aim to catalyze meaningful change and foster collaborations that bridge the gap between academia and industry.

The ICOBTE & ICHMET 2025 will be held from 12 to 26 September 2025, at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center in Republic of Korea. We warmly welcome you to join us in South Korea as we work together to catalyze change for a sustainable future.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• IJERPH;
• Sustainability;
• Air;
• Toxics;
• Water;
• Conservation;
• JoX;
• Pollutants.

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 at the booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information, please visit https://ichmet2025.org/.

In celebration of World Architecture Day, MDPI is presenting a webinar, which is open to all who enjoy conducting any type of research on the topic of “Architecture Design for Strength” or are passionate about learning about this exciting and competitive research area. The webinar speakers will present new findings from basic to translational research. Any interesting ideas for topics and speakers for this webinar are most welcome.

Keywords: architecture design; design for strength; architecture resilience; architecture durability
Date: 6 October 2025 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. EDT | 10:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 874 6114 8686
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/MWAD2025

Register now for free!

Program

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email on 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 to view.

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome, University of Reading, UK;
• Dr. Paris Fokaides, Frederick University, Cyprus;
• Dr. Ehsan Harirchian, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany;
• Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardi, the International Association of Building Physics, Canada.

MDPI will be attending the 63rd International Meat Industry Conference (MEATCON2025), which will be held from 5 to 8 October 2025, in Zlatibor Mountain, Serbia.

For many years, this Conference has been the converging point for food/feed scientists, experts from the industry and legislation sphere, members of professional associations, and other entities striving towards a common goal “Food For Thought: Innovations In Food and Nutrition”. The rapid development of scientific and technological research in the areas of food/feed technology, safety, quality, regulatory, environmental, and numerous other fields imposed the necessity for a synthetic approach to food-related challenges. Such an approach is primarily governed by understanding the complexity of food science that has been taking place within the scientific community for the past two decades, hence our commitment to the multidisciplinary nature of the Conference.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Applied Sciences;
• Foods;
• Poultry;
• Gastronomy;
• Ruminants;
• Sustainability;
• Toxins; 
• Agriculture.

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth and have a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://meatcon.rs/.

We are pleased to announce that MDPI will be participating as an exhibitor in the 11th IWA Membrane Technology Conference & Exhibition for Water and Wastewater Treatment and Reuse, organized by the International Water Association. It will be held from 13 to 18 September 2025 in Daegu, Republic of Korea.

This conference aims to garner experts from around the world to share the latest advancements and innovations in membrane technology for water and wastewater treatment and reuse. It seeks to serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and collaboration, providing an opportunity for you to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, while making new acquaintances and expanding your research network.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Membranes;
• Water;
• Clean Technol.;
• Limnological Review;
• Sustainability;
• Separations.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to begin an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth and answering any questions you may have. 

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://mtc2025.org/index.php.

MDPI invites you to join the very first MDPI Topic Editor Club. This new initiative was designed as a platform to highlight emerging research themes, share editorial experiences, and foster meaningful connections among Topic Editors worldwide.

MDPI Topics are collections of papers on a shared theme, published across two or more MDPI journals. They allow researchers from different fields to collaborate, explore common ideas, and reach wider audiences. Each topic is led by a team of Topic Editors with expertise in different areas and supported by MDPI’s simple and efficient publishing process.

The Topic Editor Club brings together several Topic Editors from various disciplines to showcase their work, discuss both challenges and successes, and share new ideas for developing impactful topics. It presents a great opportunity to learn from one another, explore cross-disciplinary collaborations, and support the growth of open access research together.

We hope you will join us for this exciting first session of the MDPI Topic Editor Club and welcome your thoughts and questions during the live Q&A segment. Please find the schedule and speaker list below.

Date: 4 September 2025 at 2:00 p.m. CEST | 8:00 p.m. CST (Asia)
Webinar ID: 837 6434 9842

Register now for free!

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

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

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Reader in Railway and Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK;
• Dr. Constantinos G. Tsiafoulis, ¹ NMR Centre, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Greece; ² Collaborative Educational Personnel, School of Natural Sciences and Technology, Hellenic Open University, Greece;
• Mr. Aleksandar Markovic, Journal Relations Specialist, MDPI.

For more information about this webinar, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/MTEC2025.