Abstract
It is a great honour and privilege to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials (JSM). I would like to express my sincere appreciation to SAGE Publications for their trust, and to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of my predecessors, whose leadership has established JSM as a respected and well-recognized journal within the field.
Over the past decades, JSM has become a dedicated platform for high-quality research on sandwich structures, composite materials, and related structural systems. Its focused scope and strong scientific foundation have made it a valuable resource for researchers and engineers working at the intersection of materials science and structural mechanics.
As the field continues to evolve rapidly, driven by advances in manufacturing, multifunctional materials, and computational modelling, the role of JSM becomes increasingly important. The journal is uniquely positioned to capture and shape emerging developments in lightweight structures, advanced composites, and integrated material and structural design.
As Editor-in-Chief, my vision is to further strengthen the journal’s scientific impact, visibility, and relevance within the international community. In particular, I aim to reinforce JSM’s position as a leading venue for rigorous, high-quality, and forward-looking research in sandwich structures and related technologies.
To achieve this, I will emphasise several guiding principles:
First, we will continue to uphold and strengthen the quality and integrity of the peer-review process. High scientific standards remain the cornerstone of the journal, and submissions will be evaluated not only on technical correctness, but also on their originality, significance, and potential long-term impact.
Second, the journal will focus on contributions that provide clear advances in knowledge and understanding. Papers offering generalizable insights, validated methodologies, and innovative concepts will be particularly encouraged. Incremental studies and narrowly scoped case analyses will be considered with greater selectivity.
Third, JSM will actively engage with emerging research directions, including multifunctional sandwich structures, architected materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and data-driven approaches in structural mechanics. Carefully curated special issues and invited contributions will play a role in highlighting these developments.
Fourth, we will continue to strengthen the journal’s international reach and diversity by working closely with our Editorial Board and the broader research community. The support and active involvement of Associate Editors, reviewers, and authors are essential to maintaining and enhancing the journal’s reputation.
Finally, efficiency in the review and publication process will remain a priority. Timely and constructive feedback is crucial for authors, and we will strive to ensure a fair, transparent, and efficient editorial workflow.
I would like to invite the community to contribute to this new chapter of JSM. Together, we can further develop the journal as a platform for impactful research that advances the field and supports innovation in engineering practice.
I look forward to working with authors, reviewers, and editors in shaping the future of the Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials.