New Phytologist review articles
New Phytologist publishes three types of review articles: our in-depth Tansley reviews, our shorter, focussed Tansley insights, and our mid-size Research reviews. With the exception of Research reviews, which may be submitted at any time, all other review types are by invitation-only. Enquiries or suggestions about reviews are of course welcome at any time (contact: Holly Slater, Senior Commissioning Editor np-managinged@lancaster.ac.uk)
On this page you will find descriptions of each article type together with the five most recently published reviews.
Search our reviews database here
Most recently published reviews:
Plasmodesmata and intercellular molecular traffic control
Estee E. Tee; Christine Faulkner
Year: 2024. Tansley review
Phytochrome B photobody components
Yongmin Kwon; Chanhee Kim; Giltsu Choi
Year: 2024. Tansley insight
A resilient bunch: stem cell antiviral immunity in plants
Gesa Hoffmann; Marco Incarbone
Volume: 241, Issue: 4, Year: 2024. Tansley insight
Quantifying the roles of algal photosynthetic electron pathways: a milestone towards photosynthetic robustness
Adrien Burlacot
Volume: 240, Issue: 6, Year: 2023. Tansley insight
Symbiont plasticity as a driver of plant success
Martin Zobel; Kadri Koorem; Mari Moora; Marina Semchenko; John Davison
Volume: 241, Issue: 6, Year: 2024. Tansley review
Tansley reviews
The New Phytologist Tansley review series was initiated in 1985 to provide a service to the plant science community. Named in recognition of the journal’s founder, Sir Arthur Tansley, these specially invited in-depth reviews have proved to be both authoritative and accessible – all are written by scientists engaged in the most exciting, ground-breaking research. In keeping with Tansley's philosophy, we encourage a personal perspective, with lively and thought provoking discussion. Another trademark of the Tansley review is that, whilst we expect relevant older work to be discussed, the review should be less of an exercise in literature documentation and more of a forum for the synthesis and presentation of ideas. A typical Tansley review is 6000 - 8000 words in length, with up to 150 references and 8 figures.
Tansley insights
Tansley insights provide a platform for short (c. 2000 words, with up to 40 references and 4 figures) and timely reviews that highlight recent developments or discoveries within the plant sciences. These articles focus on one specific area of a field, rather than providing a full literature review, and in this way will generally concentrate on reviewing the most recent articles (past two years). In keeping with Tansley's philosophy, personal perspectives are encouraged, whilst maintaining a balanced outlook. Importantly, Tansley insights will be written in a clear and concise format that is accessible to our general readership. From 2015 short-listed Tansley Medal candidates will write a single-authored Tansley insight as part of the competition process.
Research reviews
Research reviews, whilst still focusing on timely issues, are more wide-ranging in format and may contain up to 4000 words, 60 references and six figures. They should contain a short introduction that puts the area into context and provides a 'way in' for the non-specialist.
Minireviews
Minireviews were published between 2009 and 2015 in association with the Tansley Medal competition. See more at newphytologist.org/tansleymedal.
Who was Sir Arthur Tansley?
Please visit our section on Sir Arthur Tansley for information on Tansley's life, work and publications.