The editorial team would like to wish all readers of Studies in Higher Education a happy and prosperous 2018.
In reflecting on the past year I first would like to thank all of our referees who have so professionally reviewed articles in 2017. The names of referees who provided reviews for the journal during the first nine months of 2017 have been listed in the final issue of that year. Names of referees who reviewed article towards the end of 2017 will appear in the final 2018 issue of the journal.
Publishing the names of our referees is only a partial acknowledgement of the time and expertise they have devoted to the journal. The success of the journal is dependent on the goodwill of the international scholarly community who give unselfishly of their time to review articles. As the number of articles submitted to the journal increases so does the need to solicit the services of a larger number of referees. However, academics everywhere are working in complex environments where multiple demands require more and more of their time. While recognising the difficulty of fitting reviewing articles into what are often impossibly busy schedules, an effective peer review system must be maintained for the sake of the integrity of academic publishing.
The other key element of the journal’s success is the continuous flow of top-quality manuscript submissions. In 2016, the journal received 1078 new submissions, and at the time of writing, it appears that by the end of 2017 the journal will receive again over 1000 new submissions.
Articles published in the journal are amongst the most highly cited in the field of higher education research. By all indications, the ranking of the journal in 2017 will continue on its upward trajectory.
The sheer volume of manuscripts puts pressure on the timeliness of the appearance of articles in print versions of the journal. However, authors and readers are reminded that articles appear online in eight weeks or less following acceptance. Taylor & Francis Online (TFO) platform has been redesigned to make it more user-friendly and interactive.
Both in terms of articles submitted and readership, international interest in the journal continues to rise. The international orientation of the journal is reflected in the membership of its Editorial Advisory Board. The range of countries represented on the journal’s Board was extended in 2017 with the appointment of seven new members.
The journal’s two regular Special Issues showcase topical themes in higher education from a global perspective. In 2017, the Special Issues focused on ‘The International Student Experience’ (May) and on ‘The Hybrid University in East Asia’ (October). In 2018, the Special Issues will analyse ‘The Modern Doctorate’ and ‘Innovative Higher Education and Research Policies’ (working title).
I remind readers that the journal takes a somewhat unique approach in commissioning Special Issues, with a particular emphasis on the two criteria of topicality and global relevance. Please consult the journal’s website for an overview of the policy.
There can be no doubt that 2018 will be another exciting year for the journal as the flow to its readers of interesting and relevant articles of academic excellence continues to expand.