AGU Launches Influential New Journal for the Earth and Space Science Community

AGU Advances Will be Fully Accessible, and Complement the Organization’s Prestigious and Well-Respected Portfolio of Journals

22 August 2018

Joint Release

Washington, DC—AGU is proud to announce that it has added a new title to its distinguished portfolio of journals, AGU Advances.

Published in partnership with Wiley, AGU Advances will be a Gold open-access journal. It will differentiate itself from other journals by being highly selective and will focus on publishing seminal research in the form of novel, innovative full-length papers that present new and selective scientific advances across the Earth and space sciences and related interdisciplinary fields. These articles are expected to have broad and immediate implications in their discipline and also be of interest to researchers in other Earth science disciplines, the broader science community and the public.

“Over the last century, Earth and space science has advanced greatly to address the challenges and opportunities society has faced. AGU too has advanced during that time, working diligently to provide our community with the highest quality, most well-respected journals in which to share their scientific knowledge,” said AGU Executive Director/CEO Chris McEntee. “Today, as we prepare to mark AGU’s Centennial, society depends on Earth and space science more than ever to ensure our ability to address the challenges and opportunities of the future. AGU Advances will help us to build on the legacy and impact created by Geophysical Research Letters, AGU’s leading letters-length journal, and our 19 other prestigious journals, as we accelerate scientific discovery and the exchange of knowledge, and work to inform those inside and beyond our community about the critical contributions Earth and space science makes to improving lives around the world.”

Beginning with the inaugural issue in late 2018/early 2019, AGU Advances will be published online-only. Full length papers are approximately 8,000 words and include multiple figures and in-depth explanations of methods, as well as discussion. Letters are approximately 4,000 words and typically include half as many figures. Most of the papers will be further enriched by open-access commentaries to provide further context around the research. AGU Advances will aim to publish at most around 150 papers per year to allow this enrichment and complement both GRL and the rest of AGU’s portfolio.

“Unlike most other highly selective journals, AGU Advances will be an open access journal. Selected content will be freely available immediately for all – including the public and policy makers – to read, download and share as soon as it is published,” said Brooks Hanson, AGU Executive Vice President of Science. “Because it will focus on publishing novel, influential research that has broad and immediate implications, AGU Advances will be of interest to researchers across the Earth science disciplines.”

AGU currently publishes 20 peer-reviewed scientific journals covering a great breadth of research in the Earth and space sciences; Eos.org, an online news site (accompanied by a monthly magazine); and award-winning books. The journals include Geophysical Research Letters (GRL), which publishes letters-length papers that merit rapid review and high attention across the Earth and space sciences. GRL is AGU’s largest journal and published more than 1400 papers last year, indicating the broad popularity of this format. GRL will remain AGU’s leading letters-length journal.

“As its publishing partner, we are proud to support the expansion of AGU’s high quality portfolio and Open Access journal program with this ambitious new launch,” said Colette Bean, Vice President & Society Publishing Director at Wiley. “As a high-impact, Open Access journal, AGU Advances is uniquely positioned to encourage meaningful change in the world, and we believe it will serve as a powerful platform for advancing scientific discovery in the field.

AGU is conducting a search for a scientist to lead the journal as Editor in Chief. The Editor in Chief will appoint additional Editors to this new independent Editorial Board from AGU’s new College of Fellows, which will include representation from each of AGU’s sections. AGU will also appoint a full time Ph.D. Managing Editor to further support authors and the peer review process.


About AGU

AGU is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. A not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing 60,000 members in 137 countries, AGU will celebrate its Centennial in 2019. Learn more by visiting agu.org and joining the conversation on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and our other social media channels.

About Wiley

Wiley, a global research and education company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 210 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company’s website can be accessed at www.wiley.com.


AGU Contact:

Josh Speiser +1 202-777-7444
[email protected]

Wiley Contact:
Josh Glickman (US) +1 201-748-6572
Tom Griffin (UK) +44 (0) 1865 476213
[email protected]