Editorial Cite This: Macromolecules 2018, 51, 1−2
Editorial
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One critical aspect I will emphasize in my tenure as editorin-chief is to expand the worldwide reach of the journal. Macromolecules is certainly a global journal, and I think that we can do more to attract high quality contributions from an even broader swath of international polymer scientists. There is work to be done in this regard, and I plan to engage polymer scientists from across the globe and communicate the mission of the journal and the emphasis on fundamental polymer science that has brought the journal the international acclaim that it fully deserves. From a process standpoint, I know we all want quicker reviews, faster decisions, and shorter times to publication. I will work to achieve all of those goals. While there is always room for improvement, Macromolecules is already doing quite well on these fronts. We will strive to bring down the average time between submission and first substantive response from the assigned editor. I am very thankful for all the hard work nearly all of you reading this editorial have done as reviewers for manuscripts submitted to Macromolecules (if by chance you have not reviewed something for Macromolecules, please give me a call). We might be calling on you to shorten the time between receipt of a manuscript and delivery of a review in a reasonable and measured way. By the way, if you do not think you will be able to provide a review in a timely manner, we certainly appreciate a quick “no thanks”, as this allows the editor to move on to another potential reviewer. I can tell you that this is appreciated by both editors and authors. Our bread and butter at Macromolecules will continue to be full-length Articles. About ten years ago we introduced Perspectives, and by all accounts these insightful, interesting, and informative accounts have been very well received by the community. They include a wonderful 50th Anniversary series.4 I will continue to solicit Perspectives and welcome your input and suggestions for relevant topics and potential authors. The number of Notes submitted over the past several years has been consistently going down and now represents only a tiny fraction of overall submissions; it will no longer be a manuscript type at Macromolecules. I will be open to guest editorials/commentaries in this space of the journal, and you can expect more Virtual Issues that come along with their associated editorials. Soon, you can also expect a few new additions to our outstanding group of associate editors, and you can look to this page for their introductions. This past summer, Prof. Jane Lipson at Dartmouth University announced her intention to step down as an associate editor. On behalf of the journal, I would like to thank Jane for her exemplary work in handling thousands of manuscripts during her time with Macromolecules. Her steady hand, thoughtful and careful interactions with authors and reviewers, attention to detail, and high scientific standards have solidified Macromolecules’ standing in the eyes of polymer theorists and simulators across the world. Thank you, Jane, for your decade of service and best wishes for you
am honored and absolutely thrilled to start in my new role as editor-in-chief of Macromolecules, a journal that is very special to me. One of the first publications I read as a new undergraduate researcher was published in Macromolecules,1 the first paper I coauthored as a graduate student appeared in Macromolecules,2 and the paper that attracted me to a postdoctoral position was in Macromolecules.3 This is the journal that taught me about excellence in polymer science. Since that time, I have been fortunate that about one-third of my coauthored publications have appeared in Macromolecules (which I will resist citing here). I have served on the Editorial Advisory Board (2004−2006) and as an Associate Editor (2008−2017). I have seen Macromolecules up close. I consider Macromolecules as my home journal and the one that I hold in the highest regard. I therefore take on this new role as editorin-chief with dedication and commitment. We are living in an age where polymers are ubiquitous and are key components in nearly all things we interact with on a daily basis. We benefit from polymer technologies in innumerable ways and are most certainly living in the macromolecular era. Polymers are central contributors to sustainability, and we should continue to rely on these materials for advancing new products and processes to benefit future generations. Of course, we are mindful about the negative consequences of plastic waste in the environment, and the story of polymers is not entirely rosy. Nonetheless, I am excited, enthusiastic, and encouraged about what is still to come in the world of macromolecules and fully expect that polymers will continue to be centerpieces of the most exciting new technologies, and we as a community will make great strides with respect to the environmental challenges that come with their production and disposal. These new anticipated advances will not come without strong, foundational, basic research in the fascinating world of polymer science. This is where Macromolecules plays an essential role. Unquestionably, Macromolecules has been the home for impactful, contemporary, and interesting fundamental polymer science research for my entire life (almost exactly). This will not change. My top priority will be to ensure that the papers published in Macromolecules are subject to rigorous, fair, and critical peer review and that we publish works that are of the highest quality. High scientific and ethical standards must continue to be of prime consideration for Macromolecules. Undoubtedly, the community of polymer scientists, from theorists to molecule makers, holds papers that are published in Macromolecules in very high regard. Moreover, Macromolecules publications are expected to report significant advances in the field, not incremental research. I hold the firm belief that the journal should focus on new, exciting, and consequential polymer science. Moreover, I feel that Macromolecules should continue to be the journal that attracts the highest profile work where fundamental polymer science enables a technological advance, sheds light on new phenomena, or answers outstanding questions in the field. © 2018 American Chemical Society
Published: January 9, 2018 1
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02717 Macromolecules 2018, 51, 1−2
Macromolecules
Editorial
and your research group. I am very happy that the balance of the associate editors has agreed to continue in their roles as I take over the helm. As I move to the Macromolecules driver’s seat, I anticipate other adjustments, modifications, and new initiatives. But frankly, the journal is in such great shape I will be careful to remember not to repair things that are not malfunctioning. Macromolecules’ place as the flagship of the polymer publishing world can be traced to the passionate, dedicated, and conscientious staff, associate editors, and editors-in-chief that have come before me. I want to give a special thanks to Timothy P. Lodge for his exemplary term as editor-in-chief of Macromolecules over the past 17 years. Through his steady hand, exacting standards, and visionary leadership he has elevated Macromolecules to new heights and made us all proud to be associated with this world-leading journal. I have been fortunate to learn from him in his role as editor-in-chief up close. Finally, please do think of Macromolecules as “our journal”. We as the polymer science community all contribute to the success of the journal. I fully intend to serve in my role as editor-in-chief with humility, respect, and professionalism. I welcome your feedback, your input, your suggestions, and even complaints. Please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you in advance for your all your support and commitment to excellence at Macromolecules. With our golden jubilee in the rearview mirror, I am excited and quite optimistic about the future of Macromolecules for the next 50 years!
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Marc A. Hillmyer, Editor-in-Chief AUTHOR INFORMATION
ORCID
Marc A. Hillmyer: 0000-0001-8255-3853 Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS.
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REFERENCES
(1) Lindmark-Hamberg, M.; Wagener, K. B. Acyclic metathesis polymerization: the olefin metathesis reaction of 1,5-hexadiene and 1,9-decadiene. Macromolecules 1987, 20, 2949−2951. (2) Hillmyer, M. A.; Lepetit, C.; McGrath, D. V.; Novak, B. M.; Grubbs, R. H. Aqueous ring-opening metathesis polymerization of carboximide-functionalized 7-oxanorbornenes. Macromolecules 1992, 25, 3345−3350. (3) Gehlsen, M. D.; Bates, F. S. Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of polystyrene: thermodynamics of poly(vinylcyclohexane)containing diblock copolymers. Macromolecules 1993, 26, 4122−4127. (4) 50th Anniversary Perspectives. http://pubs.acs.org/page/ mamobx/50thanniversaryperspectives.html (accessed December 27, 2017).
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DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02717 Macromolecules 2018, 51, 1−2
