Thanos Karatzias, PhD

Thanos, a clinical and health psychologist, is a professor of mental health and associate dean of research and innovation in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University in the United Kingdom.

Briefly, what are your main priorities? For example, how will you grow readership, what type of scholarship would you like to see in the journal, and what kind of content are you hoping to attract?

I am keen to empower the global scholarly and practitioner community by disseminating cutting-edge interdisciplinary research that enhances the lives of individuals affected by psychological trauma. To grow readership, I plan to expand our online presence, utilize social media to highlight impactful work, and create more interactive and accessible content on the journal’s website. Our goal is to become the go-to resource not only for researchers but also for clinicians and policymakers across disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, medicine, neuroscience, social work, public health, and anthropology.

We are committed to attracting high-quality submissions that tackle emerging and underexplored areas in trauma science, such as neurobiological underpinnings, cultural and intersectional aspects of trauma, and technology-assisted interventions. We also aim to foster submissions that examine atypical trauma responses, resilience, personal growth, and preventive strategies. We will introduce new content categories such as debate features, practice-focused essays, and research prioritization commentaries. As part of this strategic expansion, we have appointed several world-renowned scholars to our editorial board, including colleagues with methodological and statistical expertise. These appointments will not only elevate the journal’s profile but also will help attract scholarship that is diverse in perspective and scope.

Why is this journal important for the field? What is its relevance to society/public health? What are the hot issues in your area right now?

Traumatology plays a vital role in shaping the global discourse around trauma and recovery. Its relevance to public health cannot be overstated considering that psychological trauma affects millions worldwide, often with lifelong consequences. In a world facing wars, forced migration, pandemics, and climate-related disasters, the need for evidence-based trauma research is more urgent than ever. Furthermore, the high prevalence of childhood trauma and adversity underscores the need for early intervention and preventative approaches. Our journal provides a platform for translating complex scientific knowledge into insights that inform practice, policy, and prevention across diverse cultural and societal contexts. We aim to support research that not only concerns symptom management at the individual level but also supports broader community mental health resilience.

Some current trending topics in the field of psychological trauma are the clinical relevance of complex PTSD following its recent inclusion in the ICD-11, the neurobiology of trauma, early interventions, and how digital technologies like virtual reality and mobile platforms can enhance treatment accessibility. We also are seeing increased interest in trauma’s intersection with systemic inequality: how factors like race, gender, and socioeconomic status can shape both exposure to trauma and access to care. We are committed to spotlighting these issues by welcoming interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and equity-driven research. A broader editorial board, special issues, and invited pieces will help us stay at the forefront of these evolving challenges.

Do you have plans for a special issue or changes to the editorial process? Have you introduced or are you planning to introduce any changes?

I am thrilled to share a new editorial direction for Traumatology that reflects both continuity with our core mission and an exciting expansion in scope, structure, and content. Historically, the journal has been devoted to understanding the psychological effects of trauma and disaster, focusing largely on individual clinical outcomes and risk factors. While this focus remains foundational, we are now embracing a broader, more-interdisciplinary and globally responsive vision.

Our updated scope now explicitly welcomes research that addresses trauma across the lifespan and across diverse populations, systems, and settings. We aim to publish high-quality, impactful work not only on psychological risk and resilience but also on trauma prevention, public health responses, culturally responsive interventions, systemic and structural contributors to trauma, and global perspectives on traumatic stress. This includes theoretical work, methodological innovations, and applied studies that speak directly to clinical practice, policy, and education. We invite contributions that advance trauma science beyond traditional diagnostic frameworks, including work on atypical or subsyndromal trauma responses following exposure to psychological trauma.

Special issues are being planned around urgent and forward-looking themes, such as trauma in marginalized and displaced populations; the integration of digital tools in trauma care; intersectional trauma; and the use of trauma-informed systems in education, health care, and justice. We also will invite features in which scholars engage opposing viewpoints on controversial topics (e.g., diagnostic boundaries, treatment priorities), as well as state-of-the-science reviews and research prioritization pieces in which clinicians and policymakers highlight future directions for the field.

In addition, we are strengthening our educational and commentary sections to include work that supports training and professional development, addresses global inequities, and promotes community engagement. We also are encouraging methodological pieces, especially those that navigate the growing complexity of mixed-methods, culturally adapted, and transdisciplinary research in trauma science.

As part of this transformation, our editorial process is evolving to meet the highest standards of transparency and inclusivity. We are implementing stronger peer review protocols, including statistical reviews where appropriate, and promoting open science practices such as data sharing and pre-registration. We also are proud to introduce a newly expanded editorial board that reflects the journal’s commitment to diversity, equity, and global representation. Our new team of leading scholars and practitioners from across disciplines, regions, and career stages ensures that a wide range of voices and expertise will inform our editorial decisions. This board is structured to reflect the broad, intersectional realities of trauma research and care today. In tandem, we are working to remove barriers for authors from historically underrepresented groups through more-accessible submission tools, inclusive editorial policies, and outreach efforts designed to amplify marginalized perspectives in trauma science.

What advice would you offer new authors hoping to publish in your journal? What are you looking for in a manuscript?

My advice to new authors is to focus on clarity, relevance, and rigor. We are especially interested in manuscripts that not only offer strong empirical evidence but also clearly articulate their clinical or societal implications. High-quality methodology is essential, but so is the ability to tell a compelling story about why the research matters. When I am writing a manuscript, I ask myself “How does this study move the field forward? What are the practical applications for individuals and communities from this work? How can these findings be translated into practical implications that can be adopted by policymakers and care providers?” It also is essential to be mindful of ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity, particularly when researching vulnerable populations.

We invite you to be part of the journal’s next chapter by submitting your work, engaging in our new formats, and helping us amplify the voices and perspectives that trauma science requires today. We welcome a broad range of submissions, from traditional empirical studies to systematic reviews and meta-analysis, thorough qualitative research, and theoretical contributions. Submissions that incorporate diverse samples, novel methodologies, or interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. To help new authors succeed, we will highlight exemplary papers on our website. A supportive review process that includes constructive feedback will remain central to our editorial approach. Ultimately, we are looking for work that reflects both academic excellence and a commitment to improving lives through trauma research.

APA Publishing is proud to support the association’s mission to promote psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives. How will your editorship further support this mission?

As editor-in-chief, I see my role as directly aligned with APA’s mission to promote psychological science for the betterment of society. Traumatology serves as a bridge between scientific inquiry and real-world application, and I aim to strengthen this connection throughout my tenure. Our focus on clinically meaningful, methodologically rigorous, and culturally sensitive trauma research ensures that the journal’s content is both scientifically sound and socially impactful. Whether by informing therapeutic practice, guiding public policy, or empowering trauma-affected communities, our goal is to ensure that every article has the potential to improve lives.

Moreover, we are elevating diverse voices and perspectives. By expanding the editorial board to include mid-career as well as global leaders on psychological trauma and by supporting principles of equity and open science in every aspect of the journal, we are fostering an ethically grounded and globally relevant research culture. This inclusive, high-impact vision will help us amplify the contributions of psychological science to a world that urgently needs evidence-based solutions to trauma and adversity.