About the Journal

Syntheses is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, multidisciplinary scientific journal dedicated to the integration, synthesis, and advancement of knowledge across the full spectrum of contemporary science and scholarship.

The journal is founded on the principle that many of the most important scientific questions cannot be adequately understood through the perspective of a single discipline. Scientific knowledge is frequently distributed across different fields, methodologies, theoretical traditions, and levels of analysis. Syntheses seeks to provide a scholarly platform for bringing these dispersed forms of knowledge together in order to generate broader explanations, new conceptual frameworks, novel hypotheses, and scientifically meaningful insights.

The central purpose of Syntheses is therefore not simply to publish research from many different disciplines. Its distinctive editorial mission is to publish work in which synthesis, integration, connection, or conceptual unification constitutes a substantial part of the scientific contribution.

The journal welcomes original research, reviews, theoretical studies, methodological contributions, and interdisciplinary perspectives that integrate evidence, theories, methods, datasets, or conceptual approaches from different areas of knowledge. Such integration may occur between closely related scientific fields or across traditionally distant disciplinary boundaries.

A synthesis may involve the integration of experimental and observational findings, the combination of theoretical and empirical approaches, the reconciliation of apparently conflicting results, the development of a new model from established evidence, the connection of phenomena studied at different scales, or the formulation of new scientific questions emerging from the convergence of previously separate lines of inquiry.

Syntheses particularly encourages contributions that transform fragmented knowledge into a more coherent scientific picture.

The journal aims to serve researchers who work at disciplinary interfaces and to create an intellectual environment in which discoveries from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, Earth sciences, astronomy, medicine, neuroscience, engineering, artificial intelligence, psychology, social sciences, philosophy, and other fields can be meaningfully connected.

Its ultimate objective is to advance science not merely by adding another isolated finding, but by identifying relationships, patterns, principles, and explanatory structures that emerge when knowledge is brought together.

Scope

The scope of Syntheses encompasses a broad range of scientific and scholarly disciplines. The journal recognizes that contemporary scientific progress increasingly occurs through interaction among fields rather than within isolated disciplinary boundaries.

Accordingly, the journal considers submissions from the following broad areas.

1. Physics and Physical Sciences

Syntheses welcomes contributions involving all major areas of physics and the physical sciences, including:

Classical and modern physics
Theoretical physics
Experimental physics
Applied physics
Mathematical physics
Quantum physics
Quantum information
Particle physics
High-energy physics
Nuclear physics
Atomic and molecular physics
Condensed matter physics
Statistical physics
Plasma physics
Fluid dynamics
Thermodynamics
Electromagnetism
Optics
Photonics
Acoustics
Biophysics
Materials physics
Nanophysics
Complex physical systems

Particular interest is given to studies connecting physical principles with biological, chemical, computational, technological, planetary, or cosmological systems.

2. Chemistry and Chemical Sciences

The journal welcomes research across chemistry and related chemical disciplines, including:

Organic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Physical chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry
Computational chemistry
Chemical physics
Biochemistry
Chemical biology
Medicinal chemistry
Materials chemistry
Polymer chemistry
Environmental chemistry
Electrochemistry
Photochemistry
Supramolecular chemistry
Nanochemistry
Geochemistry

Research integrating chemistry with biology, physics, medicine, materials science, environmental science, energy research, or computational science is particularly relevant to the journal.

3. Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology and Space Sciences

Syntheses welcomes interdisciplinary research concerning the universe, astronomical systems, and space environments, including:

Astronomy
Astrophysics
Cosmology
Theoretical astrophysics
Observational astronomy
Stellar astrophysics
Galactic and extragalactic astronomy
High-energy astrophysics
Gravitational astrophysics
Relativistic astrophysics
Solar physics
Planetary science
Space physics
Space science
Exoplanet research
Astrobiology
Origins of life
Cosmochemistry
Planetary geology
Space exploration

The journal particularly encourages work connecting astrophysics with physics, chemistry, biology, planetary science, information science, or theories concerning the emergence and evolution of complex systems.

4. Earth, Geological and Planetary Sciences

The journal encompasses research across Earth and planetary sciences, including:

Geology
Geophysics
Geochemistry
Mineralogy
Petrology
Paleontology
Sedimentology
Tectonics
Seismology
Volcanology
Geomorphology
Hydrology
Oceanography
Atmospheric sciences
Soil sciences
Earth-system science
Planetary geology
Climate science
Environmental geosciences
Natural hazards
Remote sensing
Geospatial sciences

Interdisciplinary studies connecting geological processes with climate, biology, chemistry, physics, planetary science, environmental change, or human systems are especially encouraged.

5. Climate, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences

Syntheses welcomes research addressing complex environmental systems and planetary-scale processes, including:

Climate science
Climate modeling
Environmental science
Environmental chemistry
Environmental biology
Ecology
Conservation science
Biodiversity
Ecosystem science
Global change
Sustainability science
Environmental health
Water and resource systems
Atmospheric processes
Ocean and climate interactions
Human-environment systems
Planetary health
Natural resource science

The journal particularly values studies that integrate physical, chemical, biological, computational, and social dimensions of environmental problems.

6. Biological and Life Sciences

The biological sciences represent a major component of the journal's scope, including:

General biology
Molecular biology
Cell biology
Structural biology
Developmental biology
Genetics
Genomics
Epigenetics
Evolutionary biology
Microbiology
Virology
Immunology
Physiology
Neurobiology
Neuroscience
Systems biology
Synthetic biology
Computational biology
Bioinformatics
Biotechnology
Biophysics
Botany
Zoology
Ecology
Population biology
Conservation biology

Particular emphasis is placed on studies that integrate biological knowledge with physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, medicine, engineering, or environmental sciences.

7. Neuroscience, Brain Sciences and Cognitive Science

The journal welcomes interdisciplinary research concerning the brain, mind, cognition, and behavior, including:

Neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience
Computational neuroscience
Systems neuroscience
Neurobiology
Neuropsychology
Neurology
Psychiatry
Cognitive science
Psychology
Behavioral neuroscience
Neuroimaging
Electrophysiology
Brain–computer interfaces
Artificial intelligence and neuroscience
Consciousness studies
Philosophy of mind
Neurophilosophy

Studies integrating neuroscience with psychology, philosophy, artificial intelligence, mathematics, physics, medicine, linguistics, or computational sciences are particularly appropriate.

8. Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Syntheses considers interdisciplinary contributions throughout medicine and biomedical research, including:

Biomedical sciences
Clinical sciences
Translational medicine
Neurology
Psychiatry
Oncology
Immunology
Pharmacology
Pathology
Genetics
Genomics
Molecular medicine
Precision medicine
Epidemiology
Public health
Medical technology
Biomedical engineering
Digital health
Medical imaging
Computational medicine

The journal encourages studies that integrate basic science with clinical research, computational approaches, engineering, artificial intelligence, or broader biological and behavioral perspectives.

9. Mathematics, Statistics and Computational Sciences

Mathematical and computational approaches are central to modern scientific synthesis. Relevant areas include:

Pure mathematics
Applied mathematics
Mathematical modeling
Statistics
Probability
Mathematical physics
Computational mathematics
Numerical analysis
Computational science
Data science
Information theory
Network science
Systems science
Complexity science
Dynamical systems
Computational biology
Computational neuroscience
Scientific computing

Research that uses mathematical or computational frameworks to unify observations or theories from different scientific domains is especially encouraged.

10. Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Information Sciences

The journal welcomes contributions in:

Computer science
Artificial intelligence
Machine learning
Deep learning
Generative AI
Computational intelligence
Robotics
Computer vision
Natural language processing
Information science
Knowledge representation
Human–computer interaction
AI and scientific discovery
AI and medicine
AI and biology
AI and neuroscience
AI and society
Computational modeling
Scientific machine learning

Particular interest is given to research connecting artificial intelligence with established scientific disciplines or using computational methods to synthesize complex bodies of scientific evidence.

11. Engineering and Technology

The scope includes major areas of engineering and technology, including:

Biomedical engineering
Chemical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Electrical and electronic engineering
Computer engineering
Civil engineering
Environmental engineering
Materials engineering
Aerospace engineering
Systems engineering
Robotics
Nanotechnology
Energy technologies
Biotechnology
Medical technologies
Information technologies
Emerging technologies

Interdisciplinary engineering studies that integrate fundamental science, technology, computation, medicine, environmental science, or social considerations are particularly encouraged.

12. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

Relevant areas include:

Experimental psychology
Cognitive psychology
Clinical psychology
Neuropsychology
Behavioral science
Social psychology
Developmental psychology
Comparative psychology
Psychophysics
Cognitive science
Decision science
Behavioral economics
Human cognition and behavior

Research connecting behavioral phenomena with neuroscience, biology, artificial intelligence, mathematics, philosophy, or social sciences is particularly welcomed.

13. Social Sciences

Although primarily oriented toward scientific synthesis, Syntheses also welcomes interdisciplinary work involving:

Sociology
Anthropology
Economics
Political science
Communication sciences
Education
Behavioral economics
Human geography
Science and technology studies
Social psychology
Demography
Social systems
Quantitative social science

Submissions should demonstrate a meaningful connection to broader scientific, technological, environmental, biological, computational, or interdisciplinary questions where appropriate.

14. Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Humanities

The journal welcomes scholarly work at the intersection of scientific inquiry and philosophical or humanistic analysis, including:

Philosophy of science
Philosophy of mind
Epistemology
Logic
Philosophy of physics
Philosophy of biology
Philosophy of mathematics
Philosophy of medicine
Ethics
Bioethics
AI ethics
History of science
History of ideas
Linguistics
Medical humanities
Science and society

Such contributions should, where appropriate, engage substantively with scientific evidence, scientific theories, methodologies, or interdisciplinary questions.

Interdisciplinary and Cross-Disciplinary Research

A defining characteristic of Syntheses is its interest in research conducted at the boundaries between disciplines.

The journal welcomes studies that explore connections such as:

Physics and biology
Physics and chemistry
Physics and mathematics
Chemistry and biology
Chemistry and medicine
Biology and medicine
Biology and artificial intelligence
Mathematics and biology
Mathematics and neuroscience
Neuroscience and psychology
Neuroscience and philosophy
Neuroscience and artificial intelligence
Astronomy and astrophysics
Astrophysics and cosmology
Astrophysics and planetary science
Astrobiology and chemistry
Astrobiology and evolutionary biology
Earth science and climate science
Climate science and ecology
Geology and planetary science
Environmental science and public health
Artificial intelligence and medicine
Artificial intelligence and scientific discovery
Computational science and the natural sciences
Complex systems and biological systems
Complex systems and social systems
Science, technology, and society

These examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive.

What Constitutes a Synthesis?

For Syntheses, synthesis is understood broadly as the meaningful integration of knowledge, evidence, concepts, methods, or perspectives that produces an outcome beyond their simple aggregation.

A manuscript may constitute a synthesis when it:

integrates findings from multiple scientific disciplines;
combines different theoretical frameworks;
connects evidence obtained through different methodologies;
integrates experimental, observational, computational, and theoretical approaches;
identifies common principles underlying apparently different phenomena;
reconciles contradictory or apparently incompatible findings;
connects processes operating at different spatial, temporal, or organizational scales;
develops a new conceptual or mathematical model;
integrates heterogeneous datasets;
generates new hypotheses from converging evidence;
reinterprets established knowledge through a new interdisciplinary framework;
establishes previously unrecognized relationships between scientific phenomena; or
provides a new explanatory framework with implications extending beyond a single discipline.

Importantly, synthesis is not synonymous with review.

A review may summarize existing knowledge, whereas a synthesis-oriented contribution should, where appropriate, organize, integrate, reinterpret, connect, or transform that knowledge into a scientifically meaningful new understanding.

Similarly, an original research article may be suitable for Syntheses even when its experimental work is conducted within a single discipline, provided that the resulting interpretation or framework creates a significant connection to other fields or contributes to a broader synthesis of knowledge.

Editorial Priority

Because the journal covers a broad range of scientific disciplines, disciplinary breadth alone does not determine suitability for publication.

Syntheses gives particular priority to manuscripts demonstrating:

Scientific originality

The manuscript should contribute an original finding, interpretation, framework, hypothesis, methodology, or synthesis.

Integrative significance

The integration of different bodies of knowledge should contribute meaningfully to the conclusions rather than functioning merely as background context.

Conceptual depth

The manuscript should demonstrate clear reasoning and, where appropriate, develop new conceptual relationships or explanatory structures.

Methodological rigor

All empirical, computational, statistical, theoretical, or analytical methods should meet appropriate standards for the relevant discipline.

Cross-disciplinary relevance

The findings should have implications that extend beyond a narrowly defined specialist question whenever the manuscript is presented as interdisciplinary work.

Generative potential

A strong synthesis should have the potential to generate new hypotheses, research questions, models, methodologies, or avenues of investigation.

Types of Contributions

Syntheses considers a broad range of scholarly contributions, including:

Original Research Articles
Review Articles
Integrative Reviews
Systematic Reviews
Scoping Reviews
Meta-Analyses
Theoretical Articles
Conceptual Articles
Interdisciplinary Research Articles
Methodological Articles
Computational and Modeling Studies
Perspectives
Critical Reviews
Research Notes
Short Communications
Commentaries
Letters to the Editor

For all article types, the journal encourages authors to clearly articulate the integrative or synthetic contribution of their work.

Beyond Disciplinary Boundaries

Modern science increasingly addresses problems that span multiple levels of organization and multiple domains of knowledge. Questions concerning the origin of life, the evolution of the universe, climate change, consciousness, artificial intelligence, complex systems, human health, biodiversity, planetary environments, and technological transformation cannot always be adequately addressed by one discipline alone.

Syntheses seeks to provide a scientific forum for such questions.

The journal therefore encourages researchers to move beyond the traditional boundaries of their fields while maintaining the methodological standards and intellectual rigor expected within each discipline.

The journal does not seek interdisciplinarity for its own sake. Rather, interdisciplinary approaches are valued when they solve a scientific problem, reveal a previously hidden relationship, provide explanatory power, or generate a new scientific perspective.

The Central Principle of Syntheses

The defining editorial question of Syntheses is not simply:

“What discipline does this research belong to?”

Instead, the journal asks:

“What bodies of knowledge does this work bring together, and what new understanding emerges from their synthesis?”

The journal's ultimate goal is to transform fragmented knowledge into integrated scientific understanding.

Through this approach, Syntheses aims to become a platform for research that crosses disciplinary boundaries, connects evidence and theory, identifies common principles across apparently different phenomena, and contributes to the development of new scientific ideas.

Syntheses therefore welcomes the diversity of modern science while maintaining a clear editorial identity: the publication of rigorous and significant work in which synthesis is not merely a feature, but a substantive source of scientific insight.