Emerging investigators

It is a distinct pleasure to be able to introduce the first themed issue of the RSC's new journal Polymer Chemistry. It is particularly exciting and fitting that it is focused on highlighting the excellent work of emerging investigators. The aim of this issue is to present some of the most exciting work in the field of polymer chemistry from some of the most exciting young independent academic groups from around the world.

This issue follows on from the highly successful ‘Young Polymer Scientists’ symposium that was held as part of the program of the IUPAC World Polymer Congress in Glasgow back in July 2010. That event highlighted the enthusiasm and excellent work being performed by early career researchers as well as providing a forum for sharing experiences in the early stages of careers. This symposium was used as a platform for the development of this special issue with the addition of nominations from the Editorial Board and Advisory Board (see the masthead page for a full list of Board members). We are delighted to have so many outstanding researchers, many of whom also contributed to the ‘Young Polymer Scientists’ symposium, contribute to this issue.

This themed issue contains 2 reviews, 4 communications and 18 full papers and you will see that the researchers highlighted are from around the world with interests across a broad spectrum of work being carried out in the area of polymer chemistry. We wish to thank the Editorial and Advisory boards for their excellent suggestions as well as the team at Polymer Chemistry for their support both for the symposium in Glasgow and in putting together this themed issue. We also are grateful to the contributing authors for their enthusiastic responses to our invitations to submit their work to this issue and for its high quality!

We hope that the outstanding work showcased in this themed issue will inspire and encourage the current and next generation of polymer scientists and that you enjoying reading it.

Rachel O’Reilly
Andrew Dove

---