Our mission statement Humanities & Social Sciences Communications is a fully open-access, online journal publishing peer-reviewed research from across-and between-all areas of the humanities, behavioral and social sciences. We publish Articles, Reviews and Comments, as well as guest-edited thematic Article Collections ('special issues'). The journal is supported by an international Editorial Board. Our scope is inclusive and is open to theoretical, methodological, quantitative and qualitative scholarship that makes a contribution to the literature. We particularly welcome research that speaks to emerging areas of thinking, agenda-setting issues, or grand societal challenge-irrespective of the field of study. We encourage the submission of interdisciplinary perspectives where there is a clear relevance to the advancement of the humanities, or behavioural or social sciences. This includes research arising in, or informed by, the physical, life, clinical and environmental sciences, for instance: medical humanities, digital humanities, environmental sociology, and complex network studies. Scholarship that reflects on, or seeks to inform, policymaking of all types, is also welcomed. Disciplinary coverage Disciplines covered in the journal include: Archaeology* Anthropology Business Communication Complex Networks Criminology & Penology Cultural Studies Demography Development Studies Digital Humanities Economics Education Environmental Studies** Ethics Film Studies Finance Gender Studies Geography*** Health and Medical Humanities Health Policy & Services† History History of Art & Architecture Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Information Science & Library Science‡ International Relations International Political Economy Language & Linguistics Law Literature Management Media Studies Operational Research Philosophy Political Science Psychology Urban Studies Religion Risk Management Science/Technology & Society Sociology Social Policy Theatre & Performance Notes: *cultural, social and linguistic but not biological; **in the context of areas such as education, law, policy, sociology and economics; ***human and integrative only; †including systems, management, financial analysis and provision, as well as healthcare ethics and policy; ‡including bibliometric studies. Our service to authors and readers We aspire to be the definitive peer-reviewed outlet for open access research in and between fields within our scope. The journal is published by Springer Nature. It began publication as Palgrave Communications (ISSN 2662-9992) and operated under that title until June 16th 2020. Quality assurance We offer our authors a highly respected home for their research. We strive to uphold the highest editorial and ethical standards - and to provide our authors and readers with a responsive and efficient service. Expert peer review Partnering with our extensive network of expert editors and peer reviewers, our editorial team provides rigorous, objective and constructive peer review, and will support you throughout the publication process. The journal is led by the same ethical and editorial policy guidelines as other journals within the Springer Nature family to ensure that all the research we publish is academically robust. Discoverability We help your research reach more people and maximise its impact. As an open access journal, we ensure that your work is immediately accessible and highly discoverable across a range of channels. Published manuscripts are enhanced by innovative web technologies, including an enhanced article template and article-level metrics. The journal is also indexed in key services ensuring your work is seen by fellow academics.