This journal publishes articles dealing with all aspects of the relationship between man and nature, including human nature. This may include representations of nature, its use, its transformation due to the biological, physical and chemical processes on which human life depends, and the consequences of these transformations and the manner in which man copes with them. These themes encompass a large number of disciplines (natural sciences, life sciences, sociology, engineering and research processes).
The interdisciplinary journal Natures Sciences Sociétés publishes original material in French and English. The journal accepts different kinds of material, the objective being to identify topical issues in a spirit of dialogue, monitoring and controversy, and to clarify problem statements while respecting their complexity, on the basis of rigorous scientific information and arguments. These contributions are assigned to the different sections.
Scientific articles. These may concern either research results, syntheses on a particular topic (methods, approaches, scientific discipline), epistemological reflections or a scientific analysis deriving from societal questions. The manuscript structure and length may vary depending on the length of the analysis. It should, however, not exceed a total of 45,000 characters (including footnotes, abstracts, keywords and bibliographic references).
The Section Research News is dedicated to scientific activities - research or teaching programmes, calls for tender, research units or bodies, on-going research programmes - and their discussion. Papers in this section should not exceed 30,000 characters.
The Section Focus presents exploratory studies which open up perspectives or research orientations, experience feedback on research practices (interviews or statements) as well as personal contributions to societal debates (25,000 to 30,000 characters).
The Section Opinions is dedicated to personal viewpoints on live scientific topics relating to societal issues (15,000 characters).
The Section Events and Books includes:
• Conferences, workshops and documents: analytical reports on scientific events and analyses of documents (12,000 characters max.)
• Book discussion: book reviews, critical analyses that may generate contradictory opinions (12,000 characters max.)
As a debating platform, the journal also encourages the publication of responses to papers published in its different sections. Such comments should not exceed 10,000 characters.
