How partnerships between scientific publications are accelerating discovery and breaking down disciplinary silos
In the vast and ever-expanding universe of scientific discovery, no breakthrough happens in isolation. The image of a lone scientist toiling in solitude is being replaced by a more accurate picture: global networks of researchers building upon each other's work. Behind the scenes of this collaborative revolution, scientific journals are forming powerful partnerships that accelerate the pace of discovery1 .
These collaborations are breaking down disciplinary silos, creating new avenues for dialogue, and ensuring that crucial research reaches the audiences who can build upon it2 .
Bringing together expertise from different fields to solve complex problems.
Reducing duplication and building more efficiently on existing knowledge.
While readers typically see the final published article, the collaborative mechanisms between journals represent a critical, though often unseen, aspect of modern science. Journals frequently join forces through special issues, cross-journal awards, and shared webinar series that highlight emerging fields requiring diverse expertise7 .
Focused collections on emerging topics that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Recognition programs that span multiple publications to highlight excellence.
Joint virtual events that bring together experts from different research communities.
Another powerful collaborative tool is the manuscript transfer system. If a submission doesn't quite fit the scope of one ACS journal but shows significant merit, editors can often transfer it to a more appropriate journal within their portfolio, complete with reviewer comments to expedite the process3 . This seamless process ensures that valuable research finds its optimal home with minimal delay.
To understand how these collaborations work in practice, let's examine a real-world example. In June 2025, ACS Publications hosted a webinar titled "Global Innovators: Breakthroughs in Mass Spectrometry Research"7 . This event wasn't the project of a single journal but a partnership among six different entities.
Identification of field and potential speakers
Alignment between journals on scope and format
Cross-journal marketing to diverse audiences
Live webinar with interactive Q&A session
Recording made available across journal platforms
Live Attendees
Partnering Entities
Satisfaction Rate
Archive Views
| Event Topic | Partnering Journals/Divisions | Research Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthroughs in Mass Spectrometry7 | ACS Measurement Science Au, ACS Sensors, Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Proteome Research, Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry | Advanced analytical techniques |
| Advances in Drug Delivery7 | Molecular Pharmaceutics | Targeted therapeutic delivery systems |
| Thermophysical Properties Research7 | Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data | Material characteristics under varying conditions |
For researchers looking to navigate this collaborative publishing landscape, numerous resources are available. The ACS provides extensive support through its Researcher Resources portal, including the ACS Author Lab (a free online course for preparing strong manuscripts) and guidance on selecting the appropriate journal for your work1 4 .
| Reagent/Material | Function |
|---|---|
| Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs)8 | Porous materials for separation membranes |
| Silicon Carbide (SiC)8 | Semiconductor for extreme environments |
| Aerogels8 | Lightweight insulating materials |
| Liquid Crystal Elastomers8 | Materials for soft robotics |
| ZIF-7@PDA-CeOâ‚‚ Nanocomposite8 | Anti-biofouling coatings |
The trend toward journal partnerships shows no signs of slowing. As interdisciplinary research becomes increasingly necessary to solve complex global challenges, the publishing infrastructure must continue to evolve. We can expect to see more collaborative special issues focusing on emerging fields like nanomedicine, sustainability science, and precision chemistry—all areas where ACS has recently launched or plans to launch new publications2 .
The ACS Au family of open access journals represents another dimension of this evolution, with titles like ACS Measurement Science Au and ACS Polymers Au seeing dramatic increases in their impact factors, indicating both quality and influence2 .
Future collaborations will likely incorporate more advanced technologies like AI-assisted manuscript matching, interactive data visualization, and virtual reality conference platforms to enhance the collaborative experience.
The collaboration between scientific journals represents a sophisticated ecosystem designed to accelerate the progress of science itself. By creating bridges between disciplines, streamlining the publication process, and highlighting interdisciplinary work through special issues and events, these partnerships ensure that important findings reach the right audiences and stimulate further innovation.
For scientists, understanding this collaborative landscape means better opportunities to contribute to meaningful dialogues in their field. For the public, it means that the scientific enterprise is becoming increasingly efficient at connecting dots between disparate fields to solve pressing challenges. In the end, whether through formal co-publishing arrangements or more informal partnerships, the message is clear: when it comes to advancing human knowledge, we are truly stronger together.