We are excited to welcome Jan Philip Solovej as the new Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Mathematical Physics (JMP). Recently Jan Philip spoke with us about his life and work and shared some thoughts and priorities for the journal.
AIPP: Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your research?
JPS: I’m on the faculty of the University of Copenhagen, and I also head the Villum Centre for the Mathematics of Quantum Theory (QMATH), where I do my own research. My focus is on mathematical understanding of quantum physics with special emphasis on the interplay between quantum matter and quantum information, specifically in the stability and structure of atoms, Bose and Fermi gases, and thermodynamic stability.
I also currently serve on the Independent Research Fund Denmark, a funding agency that invests in the most original ideas and initiatives within Danish research facilitating the pursuit of ideas to improve our way of life and welfare. As vice chair, I advised the Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science, the Danish Parliament and the Government on matters across many fields of science. I did my Ph.D. at Princeton University and have moved to and from various universities throughout North America and Europe over the years. I am now living in my native Copenhagen.
AIPP: What sets your journal apart from other peer-reviewed publications in this space?
JPS: JMP is the one of the preeminent journals in the field of mathematical physics. It was the first journal specifically for this community, launching in 1961. It is currently the largest in terms of output. Over the past 60 years, JMP has published many of the best papers coming from the outstanding mathematicians and physicists doing research in this interdisciplinary area. The journal has strong ties to both the mathematics and the physics communities. The high-quality research we publish is of interest and contributes to both mathematics and physics. Our readers and contributors represent both fields. As one of the best-known and most visible journals in the field, it is frequently the first choice for publication of larger conference collections.
AIPP: What are some benefits of publishing in an interdisciplinary journal?
JPS: Papers published in Journal of Mathematical Physics reach audiences in both communities, and so they have a wider overall reach. Because of the breadth of the journal, this is probably more so than for any other journal in the field.
AIPP: What is the most important role of an editor in 2019?
JPS: The most important role of an editor in 2019 is still to ensure the scientific direction and profile of a journal. I hope to build on JMP’s distinguished legacy during my tenure.
AIPP: What impact has the open science movement had on the role of the editor? What do researchers need from publishers?
JPS: The open science movement has added to the role of the editor. It is important to society and the scientific community that there is easy access to research output. It is also in the interest of authors that their research work is readily available. Editors and publishers are responsible for ensuring that there is open access to research and that achieving it is neither an administrative nor financial burden on the part of the researcher. The pressure for open access is increasing and unless costs are kept down, I believe it is likely that non-profit society publishers, like AIP Publishing, will be the prime choice of researchers in the future.