Editorial

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society is the oldest continuously published journal in the world, which will celebrate its 350th Anniversary in March 2015. A notable aspect of these celebrations will be the publication of a 350th Anniversary special issue of Philosophical Transactions A and its B-side counterpart. Both of these issues will comprise a series of review articles, each of which is focused on one of the most scientifically influential papers published in the journal during its 350 year existence and is complemented by key abstracts from the original publication. Each review is written by a current authority and will serve to set the original publication in its historical context and provide other relevant information which highlights the significance of the major scientific advance. Also, the Royal Society will hold several other notable events to mark the 350th Anniversary of the publication of the first issue of Philosophical Transactions. These events will celebrate the journal's long and distinguished history and emphasize its vital role in establishing the important principles of scientific priority and peer review, which have become the central foundations of all leading scientific journals.

Today's Philosophical Transactions A is a modern, international journal that publishes 26 Theme Issues each year. The journal has a unique publishing style with each issue being dedicated to a specific area of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences with many of the topics selected bridging traditional disciplines. 2014 was another successful year for Phil Trans A. As the pie chart illustrates, the subjects covered spanned the full spectrum of the physical sciences (figure 1).

Figure 1.

The relative proportions of the articles in the various scientific fields of the physical and engineering sciences published in Philosophical Transactions A in 2014. (Online version in colour.)

Given the range of science covered, the operation of the journal involves a large number of scientists, notably the Guest Editors, the experts involved in peer review and Members of the Editorial Board. The contributions of each and all of these authorities is vital to ensure that Philosophical Transactions A continues to publish Theme Issues that are of current scientific importance and general interest. I thank each Guest Editor for her/his leadership, judgement and commitment—qualities that are vital to produce a new Theme Issue which meets the journal's high standards. As indicated above, peer review has been an integral part of the journal's modus operandi since its inception; thus, the judgement and recommendations of suitably qualified experts are essential before any decision is taken on a prospective new contribution to the journal. Also, Members of the Editorial Board—each of whom is a leading authority in her/his field of science—play an important role in peer review, and these scientists are a valuable source of expertise, guidance and ideas. Also, the geographical spread of the countries in which these scientists are based enhances the journal's international profile. I thank all of the Board Members for their many constructive contributions during the past year, especially those who are leaving us after serving for two consecutive 3-year terms. As in previous years, we have recruited several new Members of the Editorial Board. These appointments will ensure that the journal has immediate access to expertise across the full spectrum of the physical, mathematical and engineering sciences. I welcome all of these new Members and look forward to benefitting from their expertise, judgement and advice.

Each year several Theme Issues of Philosophical Transactions A derive from one of the prestigious Royal Society Discussion or Theo Murphy meetings. Notable examples of these issues published in 2014 include:

• — ‘Beyond Moore's law’ considered the challenges facing computer and communications technologies in the immediate future and the consequent opportunities that arise to deliver improved performance by devising new, non-electronic functions on integrated circuits [1].

• — The ‘Theo Murphy International Scientific Meeting between the UK and China on the chemistry and physics of functional materials’ explored the developments necessary to provide the materials which will be required to realize challenges posed by the potential future applications of electronics, optoelectronics, energy conversion and storage [2].

• — ‘Characterizing exoplanets: detection, formation, interiors, atmospheres and habitability’ represented an important contribution to the literature that documents the development of the rapidly expanding field of exoplanetary science and explored a wide variety of the properties of these systems that are being probed [3].

• — ‘New models and observations of the Southern Ocean, its role in global climate and the carbon cycle’ described present knowledge and current research concerning the least understood of the world's oceans which is the biggest ocean sink for CO₂ and has played, and is playing, a crucial role climate change [4].

This journal also welcomes proposals for prospective issues that focus on a research frontier of the physical sciences of current interest and which is undergoing significant development. Notable such Theme Issues published in 2014 included:

• — ‘The future of oil supply’ delivered a detailed examination of the concepts, terms, issues and evidence surrounding the contemporary debate about ‘peak oil’ [5].

• — ‘Density functional theory across chemistry, physics and biology’ provided a clear perspective of the development of Density Functional Theory and the rapid increase in its recent applications to the point now where it is now the most widely used method for calculating the electronic structure of atoms and molecules [6].

• — ‘Shock and blast: celebrating the centenary of Hopkinson's seminal paper of 2014, (Part 1) and (Part 2)’ commemorated the centenary of the publication in this journal of a paper by Bertram Hopkinson that reported a mechanical waveguide method for the measurement of the shapes of dynamically produced elastic pulses. The first major use of this approach was in the study of explosives and explosive devices, notably during World War II. The two Theme Issues successfully highlighted the depth and diversity of the developments based on Hopkinson's notable advance [7,8].

• — ‘A prospectus for UK marine sustained observations’ addressed the issues relevant to prolonged investigations in the various branches of marine science. Four broad themes were identified: changes in technology, ensuring data quality and availability, recognizing variability and challenges in securing funding [9].

In many cases, proposals such as the above originated from the contributions produced for a scientific meeting on the topic in question.

The significance of the science reported in Philosophical Transactions A throughout its long history provides a basis for the journal's future and we are looking forward to the publication of further significant scientific developments this year and beyond. Recently, several operational changes have been initiated, including a redesigned website. We consider that the new version enhances the clarity of the information presented and access to links which enable further relevant data to be obtained. The website now includes a new ‘tagline’ ‘Influential themed journal issues across the physical, mathematical and engineering sciences’ and a revised mission statement. ‘Themed journal issues on topics of current scientific importance and general interest within the physical, mathematical and engineering sciences, edited by leading authorities and comprising original research, reviews and opinions from prominent researchers’.

As documented in the Royal Society report ‘Science as an open enterprise’ [10], the Royal Society is committed to openness and visibility and the widest possible dissemination of research outputs. Philosophical Transactions A seeks to ensure that this policy is adhered to in all aspects of the journal's activities. An important manifestation of this is the publication of open access articles; in 2014, 12.5% of the published articles were open access, double the amount in 2013. We will seek to ensure that this positive trend continues to be maintained. In this context, the launch of Royal Society Open Science (http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/) represents an exciting and important development. This new journal will publish high-quality research across the entire range of science on the basis of objective peer review. The first papers were published in September 2014.

I would like to record my appreciation and thanks to the members of the Royal Society Publishing Staff who, once a Theme Issue is approved, ensure that the finished articles are produced efficiently and professionally. Also, I thank Debbie Vaughan and Felicity Davie of the Marketing Department, for raising the profile and enhancing the general awareness of this and other Royal Society journals. Last but by no means least; I wish to record my appreciation for all of the support that I have received from Bailey Fallon, the Commissioning Editor ofPhilosophical Transactions A. Throughout 2014, Bailey has ensured that all aspects of the operations of the journal have progressed proficiently and productively. Also, Bailey has played an important role in planning several aspects of the journal's future strategy. I look forward to a special and successful year forPhilosophical Transactions A in its 350th Anniversary Year.