Collection Overview 

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Understanding the determinants and consequences of violence. 

Hundreds of millions of individuals, including approximately 1 in 2 children, experience some form of violence annually. Even for those not directly involved, violence can have serious negative effects. Therefore, reducing violence and its negative consequences can improve lives globally. To do this, we must first understand why violence occurs and how it affects those involved, including those committing, experiencing, and witnessing violent acts.

This will be a Collection of original research papers  and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 4th March 2026.

Why is this Collection important?

"Understanding how social, economic, and health systems are influenced by and react to interpersonal and structural damages requires an understanding of the causes and effects of violence. Given that violence continues to impact vulnerable groups globally and interacts with problems like inequality, health disparities, and governance, this collection is relevant. The collection has the potential to spark multidisciplinary discussion and provide evidence-based insights that can guide practice and policy, which excites me. By participating, scholars will develop practical methods to lessen violence and its long-term effects in addition to advancing theoretical knowledge."

- Dr. Ömer Alkan, Guest Editor

"Violence remains a pressing global concern with profound implications for health, equity, and social stability. This collection on Understanding the Determinants and Consequences of Violence seeks to advance interdisciplinary scholarship by examining its underlying causes and far-reaching outcomes. I see this as an important opportunity to generate evidence that can inform prevention strategies and policy responses worldwide. I am particularly excited about the potential for this collection to bridge disciplines and perspectives, creating a stronger foundation for solutions. Researchers should consider submitting to contribute to a body of work that addresses one of society’s most urgent challenges."

- Dr. Avijit Roy, Guest Editor

Why submit to a collection?  

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.  

Who is involved?

Guest Editors:

• Ömer Alkan, Atatürk University, Turkey
• Ziqiang Han, Shandong University, China
• Avijit Roy, Malda College, India

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Rachel Toth, Scientific Reports, UK
• Commissioning Editor: Jenny Knowles, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Aliya Anwar, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page for more information on the Collection, and how to submit your article.