Catal Talks: Prof. Jinsong Hu, Editor-in-Chief

In conjunction with the launch of Catal, we were afforded the opportunity to conduct an interview with Prof. Jinsong Hu, the initial Editor-in-Chief of Catal.
Published in Chemistry and Materials
Catal Talks: Prof. Jinsong Hu, Editor-in-Chief
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Prof. Jinsong Hu

Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Area of Interest:
Electrocatalysis, Fuel cells, Electrosynthesis, Energy conversion and  storage

What factors led you to assume the role of Editor-in-Chief for the forthcoming journal of Catal?

Prof. Jinsong Hu:

This is simply a matter of my being in alignment with the objectives of Catal, which has motivated me to accept the role of Editor-in-Chief.

I know there are already numerous chemistry journals, including those specializing in catalysis. However, based on my own research experience and discussions with some highly esteemed young researchers, it has transpired that there are instances where the needs of authors are not being adequately addressed.

Firstly, the majority of established chemistry journals continue to utilize a hybrid publishing model, along with a relatively prolonged publication process. The accessibility of published works is still constrained by the presence of paywalls. The impact and visibility of these works remain limited.

Secondly, catalysis is a field with the potential to offer tangible solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regardless of whether the focus is on energy or health. Despite the limitations of current characterization tools in understanding catalysis mechanisms, it is still possible to achieve the desired outcomes. At present, the majority of established journals place significant emphasis on the mechanisms involved, rather than the outgoing aspects. This is precisely the gap that Catal seeks to bridge. It is our intention to provide a high-impact platform that prioritizes works on critical catalytic applications.

Thirdly, there is a Chinese proverb that states, "Heroes always come from young people." In alignment with this sentiment, Catal will also embrace excellent young researchers. Catal's objective is to provide a more inclusive community to support the visibility and impact of their work.

As the initial EiC, what is your vision for Catal?

Prof. Jinsong Hu:

I hope that Catal will serve as a dedicated forum for the entire Catalysis community, encompassing the full spectrum of critical catalysis and reaction engineering. The field of catalysis is inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing areas such as chemistry, materials science, and life science. I hope that Catal will facilitate the transcendence of these disciplinary boundaries and serve the distinctive Catalysis Community.

Furthermore, it is my intention to maintain a balance in the range of submissions, comprising diverse article types, and to afford greater visibility to work that is cross-disciplinary, or which may lack clear mechanisms or be somewhat difficult to publish in more established outlets, but which is nevertheless significant in terms of addressing real-world problems. Our editorial team is committed to assisting authors in enhancing their work and achieving the highest possible standards of publication. By leveraging the benefits of open access, we aim to amplify the impact of our authors and cultivate a vibrant community of exceptional scholars. We are dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where all parties can flourish.

What can authors expect from Catal?

Prof. Jinsong Hu:

As mentioned before, our editorial team of Catal is committed to assisting authors in enhancing and disseminating their work in order to maximize its impact. While our targeted impact factor is 20, we can’t guarantee that the majority of submissions will be published. Even for papers that we do not ultimately publish, we aim to provide authors with constructive feedback on their submissions, provided by both editors and reviewers.

In terms of peer review, our goal is to complete the initial review of an article within a few days and then to keep the time from submission to acceptance within three months. We will strive to make the process as fast as possible while maintaining the highest standards of rigor.

What advice would you give to a researcher intending to submit a paper to Catal?

Prof. Jinsong Hu:

Firstly, we are very happy to welcome every submission! If you are unsure if your work is a good fit for Catal, please feel free to contact us by email Catal@springernature.com . We look forward to discussing your work or any questions you may have about our journal.

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  • Catal Catal

    Catal is an open access journal covering full spectrum of catalysis critical advances. From biocatalysts to heterogeneous catalysts, it integrates fundamental and applied sciences. Catal offers a primary platform for researchers and practitioners in the field.