Abstract
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry was established by Joshua Bierer in 1955, and for over 50 years it remained a quarterly journal. Subsequently, its frequency increased to bimonthly. Following a change in size, publication of more papers was allowed. But the number of submitted articles has continued to increase, now to over 225 a year, and it is heartening to know that in spite of the onslaught of biological psychiatry, social psychiatry remains an active part of psychiatry. Although we accept approximately 30% of submitted papers, the number of papers awaiting publication at any time is high; and in order to ensure publication as soon as possible, papers are published first online before hard copy publication occurs.
In a further attempt to improve on publication times, I am delighted to announce that, from 2013, the frequency of publication of the IJSP is increasing to eight issues a year. In addition, the submission process is now undergoing a change and is going online in order to cope with the flow.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessors as editor for their contributions and vision. And without authors, the journal would cease to exist, so a heartfelt thanks to them as well. It is not an easy job to reject contributions, but that is part of the editorial process. Thanks are due too to the team at Sage – Kerry Barner, Niall Booth, Amit Panda, Pooja Khatri and others for their support. Andrea Livingstone continues to do a sterling job as editorial assistant; words of thanks are inadequate to express my gratitude.