What is a Cambridge Prism? 

Cambridge Prisms is a series of fully open access multidisciplinary journals that map out and build connections in cross-disciplinary subject areas to address real-world challenges. Crucially, we are launching high-quality, high impact titles in dynamic and expanding subject areas that capture the fast-paced evolution of scientific research in the 21st century.

Why are they called Cambridge Prisms? 

Prisms is an apt metaphor to describe the series – our aim is to explore the tension between separate strands of disciplinary scholarship and their relevance and resonance in a wider, interdisciplinary setting. 

What format do articles take? 

We have worked across different sectors, including academia, charitable organisations and industry to ensure we are offering article types that meet the needs of all contributors of the research communities the Cambridge Prisms journals represent.

Alongside traditional Research, Review, and Case Study article types, we offer Overview Reviews, which provide a broader summary of a topic with a longer word limit.

Perspective articles allow evidence-based discussion and opinion to stimulate debate, reflect on the current state of knowledge, or raise questions for the research community while engaging with existing literature. To reduce barriers to participation, we also offer Letters to the Editor, which provide greater flexibility in format and tone while maintaining an evidence-based approach. Editorial oversight ensures that strongly biased viewpoints are balanced where appropriate.

In-line with the series ethos of facilitating cross-disciplinary collaborative scientific discussion, the series will publish Comment articles as invite-only articles that provide researchers and practitioners the opportunity to respond scientifically to a published Cambridge Prisms article.

For each Prisms journal, a layer of authoritative commissioned review articles that clearly establishes the topic map for each journal will set the tone for the journal at launch. This will then be followed by primary research, constituting the bulk of publications by each Prisms journal. The goal of the prisms is to publish succinct but authoritative articles. 

What is the scope/purpose/vision/USP?

Our vision is for Cambridge to work with individual research communities to define and establish fields that are crosscutting, to inform and drive discourse in those subjects - to accelerate discovery and progress research.  We also pioneer true diversity in authorship and amplify the voices of indigenous communities that are often sites of active international research.

How many Prisms are we going to launch in the series?

We continue to plan for 12 titles mapping across different research communities. As research develops and discoveries accelerate, we may reconsider this intention. If you see a gap in our current coverage, please do let us know – we are open to all suggestions.

Will articles in these titles be published Open Access?

The titles will be published Gold OA with a selection of available CC-BY licenses. Articles will be subject to open peer review, have open data mandates and follow open standard practices. At Cambridge, we see open research as a fundamental step in our mission to advance learning, research and knowledge worldwide. We are committed to supporting authors from low- and middle-income countries to access high-quality publishing via our open equity initiative.

Who do I contact if I have an idea for a journal for the Prisms series?

Contact prisms@cambridge.org. 

Submitting to a Cambridge Prisms journal

How do I submit an article?

Individual titles have their own submission sites. The submission system used is ScholarOne.

What format/structure should I use for my article?

Instructions for Authors can be found under each journal’s “Preparing your materials” guide.

Can I submit an Invited Review?

Reviews are commissioned by the editorial team according to the structure of the overall topic map. However, you are free to contact the editorial office of individual titles to discuss any potential ideas with the Editorial Board. Contact details for each journal can be found on the journal’s information page.

How much is the APC? 

Please see each journal's information page for further information. If open access fees present challenges or barriers to you, please reach out to the relevant journal inbox and the Publisher will be able to have a detailed discussion with you.

Where can I find more information?

Each journal’s information page will provide more detailed information on about the journal, author instructions, peer review, publication process and journal policies.

I am an Early Career Researcher / non-Academic. Will I get guidance on putting my article together?

Yes. The Publishers of the series are always on hand to give as much guidance a possible to all prospective authors. Contact the specific journal email inbox to begin a conversation

Can Cambridge Prisms help me find collaborators in other disciplines?

Yes. A key part of the Cambridge Prisms vision is to facilitate collaboration amongst researchers from multiple disciplines. Contact the specific journal email inbox to begin a conversation.

Journal inboxes:

Cambridge Prisms: Antimicrobial Resistance – antimicrobialresistance@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures – coastalfutures@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Carbon Technologies – carbontechnologies@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Drylands – drylands@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Energy Transitions – energytransitions@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Extinction – extinction@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health – globalmentalhealth@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Plastics – plastics@cambridge.org

Cambridge Prisms: Water – water@cambridge.org