Editorials in 2022

Climate change is an immense challenge. Human behaviour is crucial in climate change mitigation, and in tackling the arising consequences. In this joint Focus issue between Nature Climate Change and Nature Human Behaviour, we take a closer look at the role of human behaviour in the climate crisis.

In a recent editorial, we announced the adoption of new ethics guidance for research about human groups. In this follow-up editorial, we provide background and examples to clarify why we developed this guidance and how we will be using it.

New ethics guidance addresses potential harms for human population groups who do not participate in research but may be harmed by its publication.

For years, researchers have interrogated scientists’ own research practices. A computational research stream, often termed ‘science of science’, studies the signatures these practices leave in big data. As the field matures, it is looking for ways to use its data-driven insights to make a tangible mark in science policy.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has wreaked death and destruction in the country, with impacts that reverberate worldwide. This Focus highlights the voices of Ukrainian scientists — at home and abroad — and provides insights into the many effects of the war.

Bullying and harassment are systemic, pervasive problems in academia. We reflect on our role as editors and commit to taking steps that we hope will contribute to ongoing efforts to make academia safer for all.

There are a lot of myths surrounding the peer review process. Here, we separate misconceptions from reality in the peer review process at Nature Human Behaviour.

In ten contributions, mathematical modellers, public health officials, intellectual property experts and activists explain how vaccine inequities continue to fuel the pandemic, and how multilateral cooperation can help.

On the occasion of our fifth anniversary, we look back and reflect on the journal’s first five years of life.