The First 5 Years of <i>Aggregate</i> : Charting the Course for the Future of Aggregate Science

Aggregate celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. The journal has established itself as a leading platform for breakthroughs in aggregology—a field dedicated to the science of aggregate systems beyond isolated molecules. In this Editorial, we reflect on the journey so far and map out the exciting path forward. This year marks the fifth anniversary of Aggregate—a significant milestone for the journal. Since its launch in December 2020, we have embarked on a concerted journey to advance aggregate science, a field dedicated to the science of systems beyond isolated molecules. Over the past 5 years, we have been gratified to witness the journal's growing academic recognition. On this occasion, we reflect on our progress and chart the course forward by reviewing the journal's development from its inception toward a promising future. Aggregate was established in 2020 as the first international research journal devoted exclusively to aggregology study. This discipline explores complex systems where molecular interactions give rise to emergent functionalities that surpass the capabilities of individual molecules. The journal's mission is to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, champion a paradigm shift from molecularism to aggregatism, and open new avenues for exploration at higher levels of structural hierarchy and system complexity. To ensure fair, rapid, and thorough evaluation of manuscripts across multidisciplinary fields—including chemistry, physics, materials, engineering, biology, and medicine—we have assembled an international editorial team of active researchers. This team comprises 10 Associate Editors from seven countries (Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the USA), bringing diverse research backgrounds and outstanding academic credentials. Our Editorial Board now includes 180 leading experts in aggregate science from prestigious institutions worldwide. Notably, 130 of these members were listed in the 2025 “World's Top 2% Scientists” database compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier. Furthermore, our editorial office is supported by five full-time academic editors responsible for scientific publications and daily operations. Thanks to this dedicated team, Aggregate ensures efficient and impartial handling of every submission. In 2024, the average time from submission to the first decision was 5 days, and from submission to acceptance was under 2 months (55 days). Since its inception, Aggregate has attracted submissions from 49 countries and regions across six continents. We are pleased to report consistent annual growth in submissions, publications, and citations. To accommodate this expanding contribution, Aggregate transitioned to a monthly publication in 2025. The journal's scope has broadened considerably over the past 5 years. To enhance accessibility for readers, key research topics have been organized into Editor's Choice categories, including Aggregation-Induced Emission [1], Functional Polymers [2], Biological Aggregates [3], Stimulus-Responsive Materials [4], Supramolecular Assembly & Frameworks [5], Photophysics & Optoelectronics [6], Inorganic Aggregates [7], Chirality & Helicity [8], and Theranostics & Healthcare [9]. To spotlight specific research areas and significant developments, Aggregate has organized over 10 special issues and collections. These include thematic categories such as “Photovoltaics,” “Nanoscience,” and “Aggregation-Induced Processes and Functions,” as well as tributes to researcher groups like “Emerging Investigators,” “Distinguished Australian Researchers,” and “2024 Women Scientists in Aggregate.” Currently, three special collections are in preparation: “2025 Emerging Investigators,” “Functional Metal Clusters,” and “Aggregate fifth Anniversary Spotlight Collection.” Aggregate has achieved a series of significant milestones (Figure 1). According to Web of Science data (as of December 1, 2025), the journal has published 756 articles, achieved an H-index of 64, and maintains an average citation rate of approximately 25 per article. It is now indexed in major international databases, including the Directory of Open Access Journals, Web of Science, Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Service, EI Compendex, ProQuest, and the Chinese Science Citation Database. The journal's latest Impact Factor and CiteScore stand at 13.7 and 18.3, respectively. According to Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports, Aggregate has consistently ranked in the Q1 quartile across three categories (Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Chemistry, Physical; and Materials Science, Multidisciplinary) for four consecutive years since 2022. Based on Elsevier's Scopus metrics, the journal has been ranked in the top 6%–8% of four categories since 2024. Furthermore, according to the Journal Ranking by the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Aggregate has consistently held a Tier 1 position in the Chemistry category and was designated a TOP journal in 2025, ranking 31st among 490 international chemistry journals (top 6%). As an emerging discipline, aggregology relies heavily on the contributions of young researchers. Aggregate is committed to a forward-looking strategy that emphasizes nurturing rising stars: we have expanded our Next-Generation Editorial Board, organized “Emerging Investigators” special issues in 2022 and 2025, launched the “Meeting with Talents” interview series for young scientists to share their experiences, and established the “Aggregate Science Rising Star Award.” Additionally, starting in late 2024, the editorial office initiated the “Aggregate Postgraduate Forum” and “Editors' Campus Tours” series. To date, two postgraduate forums have been successfully held at the Shenzhen campus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and the Hefei campus of the University of Science and Technology of China, featuring 64 postgraduate presentations across 17 research topics (Figure 2). The third Aggregate Postgraduate Forum is scheduled for Wuhan University in January 2026. Meanwhile, our editors have conducted five campus tours to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhengzhou University, the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering (CAS), and the Institute of Chemistry (CAS). Through these initiatives, we aim to empower young investigators, foster early-career collaborations, and establish Aggregate as a premier platform for outstanding young scientists to showcase innovative research and build productive connections. In this era of rapid development, Aggregate strives to be a dynamic platform for promoting academic excellence through diverse online and on-site dissemination channels. We have organized a series of online academic seminars to expand our influence in key regions and hosted on-site forums on various topics to engage scholars from different fields—notable examples include the Aggregate × Angewandte Forums and Aggregate Forums in Singapore and Guangzhou. Furthermore, Aggregate continuously expands its reach through new media channels, including X (formerly Twitter), ChemistryViews, WeChat, RedNote, LinkedIn, and BlueSky, tailoring content to suit different audiences. Through these multifaceted efforts, Aggregate continues to penetrate broader research communities worldwide. Reflecting on the journal's 5-year journey, our achievements are a direct result of the invaluable contributions from our authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. We are profoundly grateful for your trust and support from the very beginning, when the journal was merely a vision. On behalf of the editorial office, I extend our deepest gratitude to all who have helped shape Aggregate into the premier platform for publishing aggregology research. This success would not have been possible without you. As we embark on the next 5 years, Aggregate is poised to navigate a new phase filled with both opportunities and challenges. We will continue to publish high-quality papers and promote cutting-edge research. By adopting advanced manuscript systems and innovative publication models, we aim to enhance the journal's academic reputation and global influence. We will strengthen our ties with active scientists and emerging investigators, with the ultimate goal of establishing Aggregate as the flagship brand in aggregate science. While our roadmap continues to unfold, the path forward has no final destination. Our task is to persist in our pursuit of excellence. As an ancient Chinese verse inspires, “Long, long had been my road, and far, far was the journey; I wanted to go up and down to seek my heart's desire.” We are excited for the journey ahead and sincerely invite you, our fellow travelers, to join us in climbing to higher peaks for a brighter vista. Let us strive together for the growth of Aggregate over the next remarkable 5 years! The author received no specific funding for this work. The author has nothing to report. The author declares no conflicts of interest.