Editor’s note

This is my first editorial since taking over as the editor-in-chief (EiC) of Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems (MCMDS). First of all, I would like to express my deep appreciation to my predecessor Inge Troch, for her outstanding work for this journal. Not only did she act as the EiC of the journal for the last 25 years, she also was the key persons when the idea of initiating a journal dedicated to the mathematical modelling of dynamical systems came up. Moreover, I am very thankful for her support during the transition phase and I hope that I can count on her invaluable experience as EiC also in the future. MCMDS is a popular journal for authors who want to publish their high-quality scientific work related to theoretical concepts for the derivation, simulation, simplification, analysis, calibration, and validation of mathematical models for dynamical systems and their application to demanding real-world problems. This is evidenced by the large number of papers submitted to the journal. I am convinced that in view of the increasing computer power available and the development of new powerful algorithms the relevance of modelling and simulation of dynamical systems will become even more important in all disciplines. Thus, there is no doubt that the journal has the potential to further improve its position on the market in the next years. During my tenure as EiC of the journal, I want to make MCMDS one of the journals which is among the first choice for authors who want to publish high-quality scientific results on mathematical modelling. In order to achieve this goal, there are a few steps to be taken: The time to first decision and the time to final acceptance of a paper are important numbers from the authors’ point of view. Thus, it is my goal to keep these times as short as possible and I aim at having the first decision three month after submission at latest. Of course, it shall be understood that reducing these times does not mean that any compromises on the thorough peer-review process will be made. To broaden the field of expertise I plan to extend the editorial board. This will also help to balance the work load for the review process among more people. This should also help to decrease the time to first decision of a paper. Therefore, one of the first measures will be to form an editorial board which is constituted of both well-experienced researchers and researchers who are at an earlier stage of their scientific career. Special Issues have always been an important part of MCMDS. Therefore, in consultation with the editorial board we will motivate researchers or research groups to organize special issues dedicated to topical subjects in the field of mathematical modelling of dynamical systems. Many different aspects determine the quality and reputation of a journal. I am well aware that the impact factor is one of the most visible number. Thus, it is a goal to keep the impact factor of the journal at a reasonably high level. However, I think that the most MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTER MODELLING OF DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS 2020, VOL. 26, NO. 4, 304–305 https://doi.org/10.1080/13873954.2020.1788808