What is the purpose of collections?
Our curated collections are thoughtfully designed to facilitate collaboration among researchers. Collections create a focused and dynamic platform where authors working on similar research questions can share insights and discoveries. Collections not only enhance visibility for researchers but also encourages a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues, ultimately driving the scientific community forward.
What is the difference between a collection and a standalone journal?
Collections differ from journals in many ways, but the most striking difference is that collections sit within a single, or multiple journals (multi-journal collections), and uniquely curate research around a specific topic. In contrast, journals typically publish research within a specific discipline.
Who curates collections?
Collections are often overseen by Guest Editors who are experts in the collection topic. Guest Editors are invited to guest edit a collection by the Springer Nature collection Management and Acquisition (CMA) team. They are chosen precisely because they understand and recognize the importance of emerging and multidisciplinary research.
What is a Guest Editor and how do you become one?
A Guest Editor is responsible for overseeing an article collection within a journal. Guest Editors are invited to curate a collection due to their expertise, reputation, or unique perspective on the collection’s theme or topic.
Typically, Guest Editors are recognized experts, practitioners, or thought leaders in a specific field. Their insights help ensure the quality, relevance, and originality of the content, enhancing the overall impact of the collection. They also boost the visibility of collections by sharing content with their established research communities.
Learn more about the role, the benefits, how to become a Guest Editor, along with additional resources at Editing a journal.
How do I submit to a collection?
Collection authors are invited to submit their papers through an open call for papers by a set deadline. Journal authors, on the other hand, can submit their research at any time.
How do collections help researchers?
Collections offer researchers a streamlined way to stay informed and connected to the latest developments in their field. Instead of spending hours searching for relevant studies, researchers can explore curated content grouped by topic—making it easier to discover new insights, cite recent work, and build upon existing research. This targeted approach not only saves time but also supports deeper engagement with current trends and findings, allowing researchers to focus more fully on advancing their own work.
How do collections benefit society?
Collections aren’t just valuable for researchers conducting experiments—they benefit everyone invested in research outcomes. Whether you're a patient seeking insights, a healthcare professional applying evidence-based practices, a policymaker shaping decisions, or a funder evaluating impact, collections make it easier to access and understand relevant research. Moreover, when published as open access (OA), collections become even more powerful—removing barriers to information and amplifying the societal reach and influence of scientific work.
Who can publish to a collection?
Researchers from all disciplines and career levels are encouraged to contribute to Springer Nature collections. Whether your work addresses global priorities or explores specialised, underrepresented topics, collections offer a focused and impactful way to share your findings. By bringing together research around key themes, collections help ensure your work reaches the right audience—precisely when it’s needed most.
Who would benefit from publishing to a collection?
All researchers serve to benefit from publishing to a collection, but collections can be particularly valuable if you're struggling to find a suitable publication for your research. Here are three instances where publishing to a collection offers an ideal opportunity:
Researchers working on trending topics
Collections can be launched more quickly than journals, allowing researchers in trending or emerging fields to publish their work and findings without delays. collections also have submission deadlines, so additional effort is placed on processing submissions efficiently, without jeopardising quality.
Multidisciplinary researcher
Multi-journal collections, such as Marine Heatwaves, or Healthy Aging, are particularly helpful for researchers struggling to publish their multidisciplinary research. If your research doesn't fit the scope of an existing journal, then a multi-journal collection (otherwise known as a cross-journal collection) provides a solution.
Researchers who want to connect and collaborate
In simple terms, collections bring together diverse perspectives and high-quality research centered around shared themes. This makes it easier for readers and potential collaborators to discover your work. As a result, this fosters stronger connections among researchers, increases visibility for your research, and amplifies societal impact.
In summary, if you're an early career researcher aiming to make a significant impact with your first published paper, a published author exploring an emerging research area, or someone whose work spans multiple disciplines, a collection could present new opportunities for your career and research.
How are collection topics selected?
To ensure our collections reflect the most relevant and timely research, our expert CMA team works together with the academic community. They identify emerging themes by analysing research trends and data insights, helping shape the direction of new collections. The team also selects Guest Editors who bring subject-matter expertise and collaborate with them to define the scope and objectives of each collection—ensuring a strong foundation for impactful publication.
Is it easier to publish to a collection than a journal?
At Springer Nature, we believe that all published research should be trustworthy and of high quality. That’s why we rigorously check every submitted paper. To ensure collections content meets our strict quality and ethical standards, we treat collection submissions with the same care and consideration as journal submissions.
