Journal Focus And Scope

The Journal of Biosemiotic Research (JBSR) is a peer reviewed open access journal dedicated to the study of biological meaning. We publish research that explains how organisms interpret, generate, and respond to signs across molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological scales. Our audience spans philosophy of biology, cognitive science, linguistics, systems biology, and evolutionary theory.

We prioritize work with clear theoretical framing, strong methodological justification, and evidence based interpretation. Interdisciplinary submissions are encouraged, especially those connecting semiotic theory with empirical biology, computational modeling, or field observation.

Priority Research Areas

We welcome submissions across the full biosemiotic spectrum, including but not limited to the following themes.

Article Types We Welcome

JBSR publishes original research, reviews, theoretical analyses, and methodological advances that strengthen biosemiotic scholarship and its interdisciplinary relevance.

Case based or field studies are welcome when they illuminate semiotic mechanisms in context.

What We Look For

Strong manuscripts offer clear theoretical grounding and explain how claims are supported by data, analysis, or philosophical argumentation. Authors should define key terms, describe methods in detail, and connect findings to broader debates in biosemiotics.

Empirical submissions should describe data collection, sampling, and validation steps with enough detail for replication. Theoretical papers should provide clear logical progression, address counterarguments, and relate claims to existing literature. For mixed methods work, explain how philosophical analysis and empirical evidence reinforce each other.

We welcome interdisciplinary work that connects biosemiotics with systems biology, ecology, cognitive science, linguistics, and philosophy of mind. Manuscripts should clarify how the interdisciplinary approach improves explanatory power or methodological robustness.

Methodological And Empirical Expectations

When reporting empirical studies, include clear descriptions of organisms, environments, and sign systems under study. Explain how signals are identified, measured, and interpreted, and describe any experimental controls or comparative baselines.

For theoretical or conceptual contributions, define the semiotic framework, provide precise terminology, and demonstrate how the model advances understanding of biological meaning. If formal models are used, provide assumptions, parameters, and evaluation criteria.

Publishing Value With JBSR

As an open access journal, JBSR ensures that your work is immediately accessible to the global scholarly community. APC funded publishing supports peer review, production, DOI registration, and long term preservation. Learn more about Article Processing Charges and available waivers.

We prepare structured metadata and XML outputs to support discovery in academic search platforms and library systems. This improves citation potential and cross disciplinary engagement.

Submission And Review Path

All submissions undergo initial editorial screening for scope and ethics compliance, followed by expert peer review. Authors receive constructive feedback focused on theoretical clarity, methodological soundness, and contribution to the field.

To speed evaluation, ensure your manuscript includes complete references, defined terminology, and a clear explanation of the research contribution. Disclose conflicts of interest and include ethics approvals where applicable.

Submissions should use standard reporting guidelines where appropriate and include a brief statement on data access, code availability, and material sourcing when relevant.

Submission Readiness Checklist

Use the checklist below to reduce revision cycles and improve reviewer confidence.

Special Issues And Emerging Themes

JBSR curates special issues on emerging areas such as semiosis in microbiomes, biosemiotics of cognition, ecological communication networks, and formal modeling of meaning. These collections are promoted across the JBSR network to maximize visibility.

If your work aligns with a special issue, mention the theme in your cover letter. To propose a new theme, review the Proposed Special Issue guidelines or contact [email protected].