The EAN is pleased to announce that Prof. Claudia Sommer will be the next Editor-in-Chief of our flagship journal, the European Journal of Neurology, officially starting her term in July 2025. Prof. Sommer, from Würzburg, Germany, has served on the editorial board since 2020 and is currently the journal’s Deputy Editor.
by Claudia Sommer
It is my great honour and privilege to succeed Prof. Didier Leys as the Editor-in-Chief of the EAN flagship journal, the European Journal of Neurology. My term will officially begin in July 2025. Under Didier Leys’s exemplary leadership, I had the opportunity to serve as part of the associate editors team since 2020. I am deeply grateful for his mentorship and guidance, which have been invaluable in shaping my editorial journey. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my esteemed colleagues who have served as associate editors alongside Didier and me—listed alphabetically: Barbara Borroni, Andrew Chan, Mark Edwards, Alessandro Tessitore, Kristl Vonck—and to the outstanding guest editors who have played a crucial role in bringing special issues to life. As we transition, some associate editors will continue, while others will move on due to professional commitments. I am pleased to announce that Mark Edwards has accepted the position of Deputy Editor, starting in July 2025, and the rest of the new editorial team will be announced in due course.
Since 2020, the European Journal of Neurology has undergone significant transformations, such as adopting an open-access model to align with the EAN’s commitment to open science and to enhance the accessibility of clinical science advancements. We also established an annual prize for the best paper of the year, which, starting in 2025, will include a monetary endowment. Additionally, the journal expanded its outreach by engaging a social media editor, boosting its presence across various platforms. With its blend of original research, review articles, guidelines, and opinion pieces, the European Journal of Neurology continues to reflect the cutting-edge achievements in European neurological science. Beyond publishing, the journal has embraced innovative initiatives such as interviews, videos, podcasts, and hosting its own symposium at the EAN’s annual congress. My goal is to build upon these achievements, further enhancing the journal’s contribution to open science. This includes fostering transparency in data sharing, educating authors on open science practices, and collaborating closely with the EAN and our publisher Wiley to support these efforts.
As the official journal of the EAN, the European Journal of Neurology serves as its flagship publication, representing the EAN’s vision and values. It is imperative that the journal integrates seamlessly with the EAN’s other platforms, such as its eanNews and eanCampus. We already have strong relationships with the editors of these publications, and one of my primary goals is to strengthen these collaborations further.
The European Journal of Neurology caters to European clinical scientists and those worldwide who seek guidance, comparison, or insights into European clinical neurology. The journal covers the full spectrum of clinical and translational research, including epidemiology, preventive medicine, and health economics, provided such articles are accessible to general neurologists. Contributions on both common and rare diseases are equally welcome.
One of my key initiatives will be to engage and involve neurologists in training. Young neurologists, who are frequent contributors to the journal, deserve a platform to highlight their achievements. I aim to introduce a section dedicated to their work, featuring commentaries on published articles or emerging developments, and showcasing how the journal has impacted their careers. Additionally, we will offer training opportunities for young neurologists to become skilled reviewers and include their representation on the Editorial Board.
The journal’s submissions reflect a truly global reach, attracting contributions not only from Europe but also from Asia, North and South America, Australia, and North Africa. This diversity is mirrored in our Editorial Board, and I plan to further engage board members by defining their roles more clearly and seeking their input regularly. In addition to our annual meeting at the EAN Congress, I propose hosting an end-of-year meeting to review journal performance metrics, such as submission statistics, geographical distribution, and strategies to increase diversity, particularly within Europe and associated countries.
To uphold the journal’s standards and provide authors with constructive feedback, we rely on an exceptional pool of reviewers. Peer review is a cornerstone of academic publishing, yet it is often challenging to secure the time and expertise of busy clinicians and scientists. To address this, we will continue to ensure that only high-quality manuscripts deserving of consideration are sent for peer review, thereby respecting reviewers’ time and effort. Furthermore, we will expand our incentives for frequent and exemplary reviewers and strengthen communication with them to maintain a robust peer review process.
Ultimately, the European Journal of Neurology thrives on its contributors. I encourage EAN members to submit their best clinical or clinically relevant basic research to the journal. With our open-access model, your work will reach a global audience, amplified by our active social media channels. Additionally, the best manuscript of the year will be showcased at the EAN Congress and awarded a prize. Senior authors are invited to contribute review articles, sharing their expertise and advancing the education of our readers while enriching the journal’s content.
Together, we can ensure the European Journal of Neurology continues to be a leading platform for clinical science, advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration worldwide.
Watch our video interview with Prof. Sommer, filmed as part of our series of interviews celebrating the 30th anniversary of the European Journal of Neurology: Video interview: Claudia Sommer, incoming Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Neurology – eanNews
Find the whole series of interviews on our Vimeo channel: Behind the Journal: Conversations with the Editors
