About Us

About Frontiers
Names and addresses of the owners of the publishing company
Location (full address) of corporate office(s)
Names and addresses of parent companies
Management team & Publishing credentials
Names and affiliations of individuals responsible for the scientific quality of publications
Mechanisms for ensuring the quality of published articles
Editorial policies
Advertising policies

· About Frontiers

Frontiers Journals, launched by Higher Education Press (HEP) in 2006, is an English academic journal series which consists of 28 journals covering extensive subject areas. It aims to build a world-class academic brand and to reflect remarkable research achievements around the world. 
Among the series, 13 titles have been indexed by SCI, 1 title indexed by A&HCI, 6 titles indexed by EI, while the others have been included in the international abstracting & indexing services within respective subject areas.
The editorial board of Frontiers Journals，led by the Editors-in-Chief, is responsible for the soliciting and reviewing of manuscripts. By cooperating with universities and research institutions，Frontiers Journals manages to realize the effective coordination of academic and publishing resources. Meanwhile, journal series cooperate with renowned international academic publishers including Springer, Elsevier, etc. for overseas distribution. HEP has developed an online journal publishing platform, the Frontiers Journals website, providing access service to global users. Three versions of the online articles are displayed and alternate, namely, Just Accepted, Online First and Current Issue. Working on this mechanism, the platform enables rapid online distribution while ensuring the quality of papers and improves the performance for graphics and references processing based on an international standard structured full text data landscape.
In 2019, Frontiers Journals was selected into the pilot project of “China STM Journals Excellence Action Plan”, while Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering was selected as a key journal in the project, and six journals including Protein & Cell, Frontiers of Physics, Frontiers of Optoelectronics, Frontiers of Computer Science, Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering and Frontiers of Mathematics in China, were also selected into this project. With close cooperation with universities and research institutions, HEP will be committed to providing services among the academic community, and will continue to contribute efforts for the promotion of China’s international academic impact.

· Names and addresses of the owners of the publishing company

Su Yuheng, 4 Dewai Dajie, Beijing 100120, China, Higher Education Press Limited Company

· Location (full address) of corporate office(s)

Higher Education Press Limited Company, 4 Dewai Dajie, Beijing 100120, China

· Names and addresses of parent company

China Education Publishing & Media Group Ltd. 19th Floor, Techart Plaza, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China

· Management team & Publishing credentials

Name	Title	Experience in scholarly publishing
Yanfu Li	Deputy Director (Presiding) of STM Journal Center	Editor of Natural Sciences since 1999
Danyan Wen	Deputy Director of STM Journal Center	Editor of Computer Science since 2005
Xiaoxue Zhang	Deputy Director of STM Journal Center	Editor of Life Sciences since 2009
Defa Zhang	Deputy Director of General Office	Editor of Natural Sciences since 2015
Wei Cheng	Chief of Natural Science Journal Sub-division	Managing editor of Frontiers of Computer Science since 2005
Jianjun Zhu	Chief of Engineering Science Journal Sub-division	Managing editor of Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering since 2007

· Names and affiliations of individuals responsible for the scientific quality of publications

Natural Sciences
Name	Title	Affiliations
Wei Gao	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Earth Science	East China Normal University, China
Kung-Ching Chang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Mathematics in China	Peking University, China
Kuang-Ta Chao	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Physics	Peking University, China
Life Sciences
Name	Title	Affiliations
Yong-Guan Zhu	Editor-in-Chief of Soil Ecology Letters	Institute of Urban Environment, CAS, China
Shenglei Fu	Editor-in-Chief of Soil Ecology Letters	Henan University, China
Haiyan Chu	Editor-in-Chief of Soil Ecology Letters	Institute of Soil Science, CAS, China
Saijuan Chen	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Medicine	Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
Boli Zhang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Medicine	Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Baofeng Yang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Medicine	Harbin Medical University, China
Xiaoping Chen	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Medicine	Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Zihe Rao	Editor-in-Chief of Protein & Cell	Tsinghua University, China
Chao Tang	Editor-in-Chief of Quantitative Biology	Peking University, China
Michael Q. Zhang	Editor-in-Chief of Quantitative Biology	University of Texas at Dallas, USA; Tsinghua University, China
Peng Li	Editor-in-Chief of Life Metabolism	Zhengzhou University, China
John R Speakman	Editor-in-Chief of Life Metabolism	University of Aberdeen, UK
Guang-Hui Liu	Editor-in-Chief of Life Medicine	Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine; Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Life Medicine	Salk Institute for Biological Studies, USA
Qimin Zhan	Editor-in-Chief of Malignancy Spectrum	Peking University International Cancer Institute, China
Weimin Li	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Malignancy Spectrum	West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, China
Wei Fu	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Malignancy Spectrum	Peking University Third Hospital, China
Conor C Lynch	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Malignancy Spectrum	Moffitt Cancer Center, USA
Nianzeng Xing	Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision	National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, China
Run Wang	Editor-in-Chief of UroPrecision	University of Texas McGovern Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
Rongsheng Tong	Editor-in-Chief of Intelligent Pharmacy	Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, China
Enxiang Chao	Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Chinese Medicine	China-Japan Friendship Hospital, China
Xiaolin Tong	Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Chinese Medicine	National Medical Center for Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, China; Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China
Luo Zhang	Editor-in-Chief of Eye & ENT Research	Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, China
Wei Li	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Eye & ENT Research	National Institutes of Health, USA
Zhizhou He	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Eye & ENT Research	Creighton University School of Medicine, USA
Engineering
Name	Title	Affiliations
Ji Zhou	Editor-in-Chief of Engineering	Chinese Academy of Engineering, China
Raj Reddy	Editor-in-Chief of Engineering	Carnegie Mellon University, USA
Jianguo Wang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Architectural Research	Southeast University, China
Fusuo Zhang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering	China Agricultural University, China
Jingkang Wang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering	Tianjin University, China
Qunji Xue	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering	Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, CAS, China
Jiongtian Liu	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering	Zhengzhou University, China
Zhi-Hua Zhou	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Computer Science	Nanjing University, China
Zhang Xiong	Co-Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Computer Science	Beihang University, China
Shilie Weng	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Energy	Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Weidou Ni	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Energy	Tsinghua University, China
Yinao Su	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Energy	CNPC Engineering Technology R&D Company Ltd.
Suping Peng	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Energy	China University of Mining and Technology, China
Jishan He	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Engineering Management	Central South University, China
Wenrui Hu	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Engineering Management	China National Petroleum Corporation, China
Miroslaw J. Skibniewski	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Engineering Management	University of Maryland, USA
Jiuhui Qu	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering	Tsinghua University, China
John C. Crittenden	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering	Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
Binglin Gu	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Materials Science	Tsinghua University, China
Xinyu Shao	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering	Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Dongming Guo	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering	Dalian University of Technology, China
Qihuang Gong	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Optoelectronics	Peking University, China
Xinliang Zhang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Optoelectronics	Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Junzhi Cui	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering	Tongji University, China
Jianyun Zhang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering	Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, China
Surendra P. Shah	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering	Northwestern University, USA
Kongjian Yu	Editor-in-Chief of Landscape Architecture Frontiers	Peking University, China
Social Sciences and Humanities
Name	Title	Affiliations
Hailiang Gu	Director of editorial board of China Economic Transition	Peking University, China
Jiye Mao	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Business Research in China	Renmin University of China, China
Guoqiang Tian	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Economics in China	Shanghai University, China; Texas A&M University, USA
Mingyuan Gu	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Education in China	Beijing Normal University, China
Qilong Wang	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of History in China	Xi’an International Studies University, China
Jingwen Zhu	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Law in China	Renmin University of China, China
Yichuan Wang	Director of editorial board of Frontiers of Literary Studies in China-Selected Publications from Chinese Universities	Beijing Normal University，China
Guiren Yuan	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Philosophy in China	Beijing Normal University, China
Zhen Han	Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Philosophy in China	Beijing Normal University, China

 

· Mechanisms for ensuring the quality of published articles

      We have employed strict peer review for submissions to Frontiers journals.

      The members of Editorial Boards will make the final decision before acceptance of submissions for publication.Theyare responsible for fostering the emerging qualitative research.

      We have English language editing mechanisms in place either by using services from outsourced companies or by supervision from native experts with scientific backgrounds.

      Frontiers journals conduct three inhouse editing and three proofreading during production of publications in order to guarantee the scientific and editorial quality

· Editorial policies

      Overview

      These policies describe the guidelines in the publication process of Higher Education Press (HEP) Frontiers journals. We adopt and stick to the standards and requirements of such organizations as the Committee of Publication Ethics (COPE), International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (STM), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). Submission of a manuscript to a Frontiers journal implies that all authors have read and agreed to its content and that the manuscript conforms to the journal’s policies. The manuscript must be original and it, or substantial parts of it, must not be under consideration by any other journal.

      Authorship

      An ‘author’ is generally considered to be someone who has made substantive intellectual contributions to a published study. We recommend that you adhere to the guidelines for authorship that are applicable in your research field or, in the absence of any guidelines, to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines. According to the ICMJE guidelines, to qualify as an author one should have:

       1. made substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and

           interpretation of data;

       2. been involved in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content;

       3. given final approval of the version to be published. Each author should have participated sufficiently

            in the work to take public responsibility for appropriate portions of the content; and

       4. agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the

           accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

       Please see individual journal’s Instructions for Authors for information on the format for listing author contributions.

Author change can only be made through the corresponding author by making a request to the editor of the specific journal. Please note that changes to authorship cannot be made after acceptance of a manuscript.

      Acknowledgements

      Individuals who participated in the development of a manuscript but do not qualify as an author should be acknowledged. Organizations that provided support in terms of funding and/or other resources should also be acknowledged.

      Submission of manuscript

      Authors should read the “Instruction for Authors” on the journal’s page before making a submission. Manuscript should be prepared according to the style and specifications of the journal’s policy.

      Citations

      Research articles and non-research articles (e.g., Opinion, Review, and Commentary articles) must cite appropriate and relevant literature in support of the claims made. Excessive and inappropriate self-citation or coordinated efforts among several authors to collectively self-cite is strongly discouraged.

      Conflict of interest

      Authors should disclose all financial/relevant interest that may have influenced the development of the manuscript.

      Reviewers should disclose any conflict of interest and if necessary, decline the review of any manuscript they perceive to have a conflict of interest. Editors should also decline from considering any manuscript that may have conflict of interest. Such manuscripts will be re-assigned to other editors. 

      Human and Animal Rights

      Depending on the nature of the regarding research, manuscripts submitted for publication in the Life Science and Medicine must contain a statement to the effect that the concerning legally binding ethical standards have been met.

      Reports of animal experiments must state that the “Principles of Laboratory Animal Care” were followed. Moreover authors may have to state that specific national laws (e.g., the current version of the International Law on the Protection of Animals) have been observed, too.

      All human studies must state that they have been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and have therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down by authority organization. The author hereby declares that the research documented in the submitted manuscript has been carried out in accordance with the above stated ethical standards.

      Informed Consent for publications

      Patients have a right to privacy that should not be infringed without informed consent. Identifying information, including patients’ names, initials, or hospital numbers, should not be published in written descriptions, photographs, and pedigrees unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent or guardian) gives written informed consent for publication. Informed consent for this purpose requires that a patient who is identifiable be shown the manuscript to be published. Authors should identify Individuals who provide writing assistance and disclose the funding source for this assistance. Identifying details should be omitted if they are not essential. Complete anonymity is difficult to achieve, however, and informed consent should be obtained if there is any doubt. For example, masking the eye region in photographs of patients is inadequate protection of anonymity. If identifying characteristics are altered to protect anonymity, such as in genetic pedigrees, authors should provide assurance that alterations do not distort scientific meaning and editors should so note. When informed consent has been obtained it should be indicated in the published article.

      Peer review

      All articles published in HEP Frontiers Journals undergo thorough peer review. This usually involves review by at least three independent peer reviewers. Individual journals may differ in their peer review processes, usually a single or double blind one.

      All submissions to our journals are assessed by an editor, who will decide whether they are suitable for peer review. Submissions felt to be suitable for consideration will be sent for peer review by appropriate independent experts. Editors-in-Chief or any authorized board members will make a decision based on the reviewers’ reports and authors are sent these reports along with the editorial decision on their manuscript. Authors should note that even in light of one positive report, concerns raised by another reviewer may fundamentally undermine the study and result in the manuscript being rejected.

      Confidentiality

      A submitted manuscript is a confidential material. HEP Frontiers journals will not disclose submitted manuscript to anyone except individuals who partake in the processing and preparation of the manuscript for publication (if accepted). These individuals include editorial staff, corresponding authors, potential reviewers, actual reviewers, and editors.  However, in suspected cases of misconduct, a manuscript may be revealed to members of HEP's ethics committee and institutions/organizations that may require it for the resolution of the misconduct or may be shared with other editors at HEP. Frontiers Journals shall follow the appropriate COPE flowcharts wherever necessary.

      Misconduct

      Misconduct constitutes activities in violation of research ethics, publication ethics, or any applicable guidelines/policies specified by COPE, WAME, ICMJE, and STM. Any other activities that threaten/compromise the integrity of the research/publication process are potential misconducts.

      HEP Frontiers journals employs CrossCheck’s plagiarism detection in the editorial process and takes seriously all cases of publication misconduct.

      Suspected cases of misconduct will be investigated according to COPE guidelines. In cases of suspected research or publication misconduct, it may be necessary for the Editor to contact and share manuscripts with third parties, for example, author(s)’ institution(s) and ethics committee(s).

      Corrections and retractions

      Corrections to, or retractions of, published articles will be made by publishing an Erratum or a Retraction article, without altering the original article in any way other than to add a prominent link to the Erratum/Retraction article. The original article remains in the public domain and the subsequent Erratum or Retraction will be widely indexed. In the exceptional event that material is considered to infringe certain rights or is defamatory, we may have to remove that material from our site and archive sites.

      Corrections to published articles will, at the Editor(s)’ discretion, bemade via publication of an Erratum that is indexed and linked to the original article.

      Retractions of published articles will be made when the scientific information in an article is substantially undermined, or the articles contain misconducts in some way. HEP Frontiers journals will follow the COPE guidelines in such cases. Retraction articles are indexed and linked to the original article.

· Advertising policies

      We accept such non-commercial advertisements as conference information, important article introduction, Call for Papers, scholar recommendations, index information, and related links.