Editorial

Welcome to this latest issue of Ecology and Society. Its publication marks a watershed moment in the evolution of the field of social-ecological systems. We are delighted and proud to publish a special editorial introducing the new Society for Social-Ecological Systems: SocSES. The de Vos et al. Guest Editorial outlines the development of the field of social-ecological systems. The short historical perspective demonstrates how scholarship has grown and diversified from a focus on ecosystems and change to encompass a broad, vibrant, and far-reaching community of scholars, practitioners, and policy makers. This field has grown organically yet has been facilitated by some key innovations, institutions, organizations, and initiatives. Primary amongst these is our journal, Ecology and Society, which has been the home of social-ecological systems research and scholarship for more than 20 years. The journal was, and remains, highly innovative in publishing open access articles spanning disciplines, creating a new field of inquiry and scholarship, and promoting novel ideas that have inspired an amazing array of research and action. The publications in Ecology and Society have changed the discourse and understanding of sustainability and social and environmental change. The journal has expanded and developed alongside the field as it has evolved. We aim to be inclusive, diverse, and to enable and support new perspectives, hitherto unheard voices, and to facilitate debate, discussion, and scientific advancement to inform just and sustainable transformation. We see SocSES as a critical step in building and advancing linked social-ecological research and perspectives, building on the work of Ecology and Society and its publisher, the Resilience Alliance. The Guest Editorial published here highlights some of the serious structural and other constraints to greater participation by scholars and practitioners from non-mainstream, BIPOC, and other communities, and from Global South institutions and settings. We look forward to working with SocSES, to publishing exciting new findings, championing emerging scholars, and always supporting diverse voices, experiences from myriad settings, and advancing new conceptualizations and theory development. We wish SocSES every success and look forward to working closely with members of the society.