Science Advances is a peer-reviewed multidisciplinary open-access scientific journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Launched in 2015, it serves as a companion to the flagship journal Science, offering a broad platform for significant research across all fields of science, engineering, and medicine.
History
Science Advances was established by AAAS to meet the evolving needs of the scientific community for high-quality, open-access publishing, particularly in an era of increasing interdisciplinarity. Its launch in early 2015 aimed to expand AAAS's publishing portfolio beyond Science and its more specialized sister journals (Science Translational Medicine, Science Signaling, Science Immunology, Science Robotics). The goal was to provide a comprehensive venue for groundbreaking research that is immediately accessible to a global audience without subscription barriers, fostering wider dissemination and collaboration.
Scope and Content
The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, and technical comments that represent substantial advances in their respective fields. Its editorial policy emphasizes scientific rigor, novelty, and the potential for broad impact across a vast array of disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Biological Sciences: Genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience, ecology.
- Physical Sciences: Physics, chemistry, materials science, astronomy.
- Earth and Environmental Sciences: Geology, oceanography, climatology, sustainability.
- Engineering and Computer Sciences: Robotics, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, data science.
- Mathematics: Pure and applied mathematics, statistics.
- Social Sciences: Psychology, economics, anthropology, sociology.
- Medical Sciences: Public health, disease mechanisms, therapeutics.
Publishing Model
Science Advances operates under a fully open-access model. All articles are made freely available to read, download, and share immediately upon publication, typically under a Creative Commons license. The journal employs a rigorous peer-review process, managed by professional editors and overseen by a distinguished editorial board of active researchers, to ensure the quality, validity, and significance of the published work. Authors are typically required to pay an article processing charge (APC) to cover the costs associated with publication, though waivers and discounts may be available for authors from low-income countries or in specific circumstances.
Impact and Reputation
Despite its relatively recent inception, Science Advances has rapidly established itself as a highly respected and influential journal within the global scientific community. Its association with AAAS and the esteemed Science family of journals, coupled with its stringent editorial standards and broad scope, has contributed to its strong reputation and significant citation impact. It serves as an important and widely recognized outlet for disseminating cutting-edge research to a diverse and global audience, fostering scientific progress across disciplines.