Chemistry International
Vol. 24, No. 5
September 2002
The Special
Topics Project
by
James Bull
The Special
Topics project aims to broaden the scope of Pure and Applied Chemistry
coverage through publication of reviews on new and emerging concepts
in chemical sciences. The project takes the form of journal issues devoted
entirely to specific topics arising from IUPAC initiatives, as well
as feature articles that highlight the state of the art and future prospects
in topical subdisciplines of the subject. The latter feature offers
scope for individuals to present authoritative and critical reviews
in a way that will inspire and challenge the readership, and even attract
debate. Although feature articles have not hitherto enjoyed sufficient
support to ensure their regular appearance in Pure and Applied Chemistry,
as the Special Topics editor, I welcome inquiries and expressions of
interest in the belief that such articles offer a highly visible forum
through which to publicize and popularize the rapidly evolving face
of chemistry and to identify IUPAC more closely with themes of growing
international importance.
A
Reminder and Invitation
Feature
articles in Pure and Applied Chemistry can comprise the publishable
output of any legitimate activity of IUPAC, and reflect any aspect of
current and future directed chemical sciences. In reality, this merely
extends the scope of current publication policy, from the traditional,
reactive role, to a more flexible and dynamic approach, in which IUPAC
members and interest groups can propose and undertake projects leading
to publication of feature articles. A proposal for a special issue should
first be submitted to me, outlining the intended scope and coverage
of a theme, together with a draft proposal on prospective authorship,
and a target date for submission of the manuscript. Following assessment
and approval of the concept, a procedure will be set up for submission
and evaluation of the manuscript and the author(s) will be assured that
the manuscript will be processed and published expeditiously.
<www.iupac.org/publications/pac/index.html#si>
James
R. Bull <[email protected]>
is a professor at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He has
been IUPAC Special Topics editor since 1999.