Applied neuroscience: Exploring the vision behind the Journal of Applied Neurosciences

Applied neuroscience is at the heart of the Journal of Applied Neurosciences (JAN), a publication that has quickly become a cornerstone for practice-oriented research since its launch in 2022. With its recent inclusion in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and DHET accreditation, JAN is making waves in the field by bridging the gap between neuroscience theory and real-world application. This milestone not only reflects the journal’s growth but also signals an open invitation to researchers and practitioners to contribute to this dynamic platform. Whether you’re exploring neuroscience-informed leadership, mental health innovation, or neuroeducation, JAN offers a rigorous, inclusive space to share your work and advance the field.

Join us as we sit down with Editor-in-Chief Mrs. Jenny Venter and Managing Editor Dr. Ingra du Buisson-Narsai to discuss the Journal of Applied Neurosciences‘ remarkable journey, its recent accreditation milestones, and its vision for advancing applied neuroscience through groundbreaking research and collaboration.

Interview with the Editor-in-Chief, Mrs. Jenny Venter

1. Congratulations on the journal’s inclusion in the DOAJ and DHET accreditation! How does this milestone reflect the journal’s growth and impact since its launch in 2022?
Thank you. The accreditation of the journal represents an important affirmation of the journal’s quality, transparency, and scholarly contribution. Since our launch in 2022, JAN has steadily built a reputation for publishing rigorous, practice-oriented neuroscience research that bridges theory and real-world application.

This milestone signals that the journal has matured from a new initiative into a recognised scholarly platform with robust editorial processes, international reach, and a growing body of impactful publications.

2. What does this accreditation mean for the journal, its contributors, and the broader neuroscience community?
For the journal, accreditation strengthens credibility and international visibility. For contributors, it ensures that their work is published in a recognised, quality-assured outlet that meets international standards of open-access publishing.

For the broader neuroscience community, it affirms the availability of a trusted platform dedicated specifically to applied neuroscience—an area that continues to expand across psychotherapy, leadership, education, organisational development, health, and beyond. It also provides practitioners with knowledge that support their practices as evidenced-based.

3. The journal focuses on the application of neuroscience across various disciplines like psychotherapy, business, and education. Could you elaborate on the importance of this transdisciplinary approach?
The importance of applied neuroscience in bridging disciplines
Applied neuroscience does not exist in isolation. The brain and nervous system underpin human behaviour in clinical, organisational, educational, and social contexts. A transdisciplinary approach allows us to integrate insights from neuroscience with psychology, management science, education, health sciences, and technology.

This integration ensures that neuroscience is not merely theoretical, but meaningfully embedded in practice. By encouraging dialogue across disciplines, JAN promotes responsible translation of neuroscientific knowledge into interventions, policies, and practices that enhance well-being, performance, and learning.

4. What types of articles and research are you particularly looking to publish in the upcoming volumes?
We are particularly interested in:

• Empirical research that demonstrates practical application of neuroscience principles
• Translational studies linking neuroscience findings to real-world interventions
• Conceptual and integrative reviews that clarify emerging debates
• Case studies demonstrating innovative implementation in practice settings
• Ethical analyses concerning the responsible use of neuroscience in applied contexts

We welcome methodological diversity, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and theoretical contributions, provided they demonstrate rigour and practical relevance.

5. How does the journal ensure a rigorous peer-review process while maintaining accessibility for authors from diverse backgrounds?
JAN maintains a double-blind peer-review process with expert reviewers selected for both subject knowledge and methodological competence. Clear review criteria, transparent editorial policies, and constructive feedback are central to our approach.

At the same time, we are mindful that authors come from varied disciplinary and geographic backgrounds. We therefore prioritise developmental reviewing, offering guidance that strengthens submissions rather than simply rejecting them. Our aim is excellence with inclusivity.

6. What role do you see the journal playing in shaping the future of applied neuroscience research and practice?
We see JAN as a bridge between laboratory science and lived practice. Our role is to foster evidence-informed application while guarding against oversimplification or misuse of neuroscience concepts.

By promoting critical engagement, methodological rigour, and ethical reflection, the journal can help shape a future where neuroscience enhances professional practice responsibly and sustainably.

7. What are your long-term goals for the journal, and how does this milestone contribute to achieving them?
Our long-term goals include expanding international collaboration, increasing citation impact, achieving broader indexing, and cultivating special issues on emerging themes in applied neuroscience.

Inclusion in DOAJ and DHET accreditation strengthens our foundation. It enhances discoverability, encourages high-quality submissions, and supports our ambition to become a leading global voice in applied neuroscience scholarship.

Interview with the Managing Editor, Dr. Ingra du Buisson-Narsai

1. How does being listed in the DOAJ enhance the journal’s visibility and credibility on a global scale?
DOAJ listing significantly increases discoverability through global academic databases and institutional search platforms. It signals adherence to international standards of open-access publishing, transparency, and ethical governance. Applied Neuroscience is a nascent field, and the journal’s inclusion in the DOAJ contributes to legitimising and validating this new field through evidence-based research.

For readers and authors worldwide, DOAJ inclusion functions as an immediate indicator of credibility and quality.

2. With this new accreditation, what message would you like to share with researchers and practitioners about submitting their work to the journal?
We encourage researchers and practitioners to view JAN as a welcoming, rigorous platform for advancing applied neuroscience. Accreditation confirms that their work will be disseminated through a recognised scholarly channel that values both scientific integrity and practical relevance.

3. Are there any specific themes or special issues planned for the near future that authors should consider when submitting?
We are actively exploring thematic issues related to:

• Neuroscience-informed leadership and organisational practice
• Neuroeducation and learning optimisation
• Neuroscience and mental health innovation
• Applying neuroscience to AI-human collaboration
• Neuroscience in Organisational Change and Transformation
• Cultural Neuroscience – the Neural correlates of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• The application of neuroscience in sport performance

Calls for special issues will be announced through our official communication channels. We encourage our readers to email the editors with themes that they would be interested in.

4. What advice would you give to first-time authors who are considering submitting their work to the Journal of Applied Neurosciences?
First, ensure clarity of application. Explicitly demonstrate how neuroscientific insights inform practice. Neuroscience is a vast field with multiple theoretical paradigms, and authors should be immersed in the specific theory on which their research is built. For example, Neuropsychotherapy, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Contemplative Neuroscience, and Neurofeedback are theoretical paradigms with robust bodies of research evidence.

Second, maintain methodological rigour and appropriate referencing. Third, carefully follow the author guidelines.

Most importantly, do not hesitate to submit. The editorial team values emerging scholars and is committed to constructive developmental feedback.

5. How can readers and institutions benefit from the journal’s open-access content and its inclusion in indexing services like DOAJ?
Open access ensures immediate, unrestricted access to current applied neuroscience research. Institutions benefit through enhanced resource availability without subscription barriers, and practitioners gain access to evidence that can inform policy, intervention design, and professional development.

6. What steps are you taking to engage a wider audience, including practitioners, educators, and policymakers, in addition to academics?
We are strengthening digital communication, encouraging practitioner-focused submissions, and promoting interdisciplinary dialogue. We are expanding the diversity of our editorial board and planning roadshows with various stakeholders. To ensure the journal’s growth and sustainability, we need distributive leadership from people who are as passionate as we are about building the field of applied neuroscience in an ethical and responsible manner. Our aim is to ensure that research published in JAN is both scientifically robust and practically meaningful across sectors.

7. How can potential contributors stay updated on the journal’s latest developments, calls for papers, and special issues?
We encourage prospective authors and readers to regularly visit the journal website, follow us on social media, subscribe to updates, and follow official communication channels. Announcements regarding calls for papers and special issues are posted there to ensure broad accessibility.

As the Journal of Applied Neurosciences continues to grow, its commitment to bridging the gap between neuroscience theory and real-world application remains steadfast. The journal’s recent accreditation is not just a testament to its quality but also a call to action for researchers, practitioners, and educators. JAN welcomes submissions that demonstrate methodological rigor, practical relevance, and innovative applications of neuroscience across disciplines. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a first-time author, the journal offers a supportive platform to share your insights and make a meaningful impact. Join us in shaping the future of applied neuroscience by submitting your manuscript today.

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