Taking My Leave

It's been about 15 years ago that I was approached by IOS Press about starting the Semantic Web journal. I was immediately enthusiastic about this opportunity because it would give me a chance to try to improve upon common practice in running journals that had so disappointed me in past years. And I was thrilled when Krzysztof Janowicz agreed to run it with me, and suggested going for the transparent and open review model which the journal has had ever since.

The ride has been a good one, and we kept innovating and improving the journal. On a self-made review system and green open access followed linked data export and scientometrics, gold open access and open data science requirements. On the first impact factor followed the rise to be the sustained premier journal in its field.

Truth be told, though, it has also been a lot of work. And now that the journal is coasting along stably, I believe it is time to hand over my staff to those who will carry it on. More news to follow on that. And I will look after other endeavors, like the new Neurosymbolic Artificial Intelligence journal that has been founded this year.

And so - I'm stepping down as Editor-in-Chief effective 31st of December 2023. And I'm looking forward to - finally - being able to submit papers to the journal :)

My thanks go to everybody who has supported the venture - colleagues, employers, the community, family, and of course the publisher. And Krzysztof. The Semantic Web journal wouldn't be the same without him.

Pascal.