New category, Editorial Opinion, attracts more attention from the international polar community

The Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), publishes the Journal ofAdvances in Polar Science(APS, www.aps-polar.org). The primary objective of APS is to publish achievements in fundamental research, applied research and high-technology research focused or based on the polar regions, and to report the latest discoveries, inventions, theories and methodologies in polar research. The scope of the journal covers a range of polar disciplines including glaciology, oceanography, atmospheric science, space physics, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, biology and ecology, medicine, Antarctic astronomy, environmental science and engineering and technology as well as polar social science, information service and management. APS also publishes occasional “Special Issues” on specific polar research themes.

In September 2020, APS was accepted for coverage in Scopus Database and other Elsevier product(s) starting with 2020 material (Vol. 31, No.1).

A new category of papers, the Opinion Editorial (Op-Ed), was introduced in 2017 and is attracting the attention of the international polar community. Dr. Senior Honorary Research Fellow, Roger J. Braithwaite from School of Environment, Education and Development, the University of Manchester comments that this is a most welcome initiative. Readers are welcome to query and discuss on each article by E-mail directly with the corresponding authors. Up to now, seven Op-Eds have been published:

1. Optical remote sensing of snow fraction—status and future prospects (Igor Appel, USA; 2017, Vol. 28, No.4)

2. Polar science needs a foundation: where is the research into polar infrastructure? (Adrian McCallum, Australia; 2018, Vol. 29, No.1)

3. Towards truly integrated modeling and observing of marine ice sheets (David Gwyther, Australia; 2018, Vol. 29, No.4)

4. T-MOSAiC—A new circumpolar collaboration (Diogo Folhas, João Canário, Warwick F. Vincent, Portugal and Canada; 2019, Vol. 30, No.4)

5. The importance of long-term research and monitoring in the Ross Sea (Bod Zuur, New Zealand; 2019, Vol. 30, No.4)

6. Arctic environmental change research and Antarctic studies have mutual benefits (Outi Meinander, Finland; 2020, Vol. 31, No. 2)

7. The SPLASH Action Group – Towards standardized sampling strategies in permafrost science (Frédéric Bouchard et al, France; 2020, Vol. 31, No. 3)

Op-Ed can be a statement of the opinion of a named author or authors (not necessarily affiliated with the editorial board) with a maximum of 1500 words (a maximum length of 2 printed pages). It provides a forum for comment on the status and/or deficiencies on any aspect of polar science, reflects on recent innovation or progress, promotes internationally collaborative polar science projects, etc. Op-Ed is directly reviewed by Editors-in-Chief with final decision without peer review by expert referrers.