About the journal
Aims & scope
What we publish and the standards we apply.
Lumen publishes original research of outstanding scientific importance across the natural sciences, together with reviews, analysis, news and commentary.
What we look for
We select papers that report a substantial advance, that will interest researchers beyond the immediate field, and whose conclusions are well supported by the evidence. Every research paper is assessed by our editors and by independent peer reviewers.
Subject coverage
- Physical sciences: physics, chemistry, astronomy, materials science, mathematics and computing
- Biological sciences: neuroscience, genetics, cell biology, ecology, microbiology and immunology
- Earth and environmental sciences: climate, ocean and solid-Earth science
- Health sciences: medical research and public health
- Science and society: research policy, careers and the conduct of research
Our editors
Our editorial team combines full-time professional editors with an editorial board of active researchers. Editors make decisions independently of commercial considerations.
Last updated 26 October 2026