Our Origin Story...

At Research Directions, we launched with a bold mission: to take the next step in the evolution of the scientific journal. Our solution? Journals that are question-driven and built for flexibility, giving researchers the freedom to tackle today’s most urgent challenges without the constraints of outdated formats.

Instead of forcing research into rigid categories, we allow researchers to publish their findings as soon as they’re ready. Whether it's groundbreaking peer-reviewed studies (Results and Analyses), thought-provoking reviews (Impact Papers), or crucial resources like datasets and industry reports, each piece tells a part of a bigger story. With our innovative connection maps, readers can easily explore and follow the threads most relevant to their work. We are also committed to commissioning “where is the science now?” pieces to regularly assess what is still needed to advance each question.

At the core of our vision is openness. Every journal is open access, and peer review reports are made public to ensure full transparency. But open access doesn’t mean exclusion. Thanks to Cambridge University Press policies and initiatives like the Cambridge Open Equity Initiative and Research4Life, no researcher is left behind due to financial barriers.

Today’s complex problems demand a diverse range of voices and approaches. That’s why we invite contributions from any discipline, any region, and at any stage of a researcher’s career. As one of our Editors-in-Chief put it: we are question-specific, but discipline-agnostic. It’s this approach that will push the boundaries of knowledge.