Behind the Scenes at Physical Review Letters: An Editor’s Perspective

Publishing high-impact research is a cornerstone of a successful career in physics, yet the editorial and peer-review process can often feel like a "black box" to authors. In this seminar, I will pull back the curtain on what happens after you hit the "submit" button at the American Physical Society (APS).

We will begin with a brief overview of the APS portfolio, highlighting the diverse ecosystem of the Physical Review journals. The core of the talk will focus on Physical Review Letters (PRL), demystifying the peer-review process from the perspective of a PRL editor. Drawing on my own journey —from completing my PhD in Spain and working as a postdoc to transitioning into scientific editing—I will share insights into how editors evaluate manuscripts, how referees are chosen, and how editorial decisions are made. Furthermore, we will discuss how PRL continues to evolve; though it is an established, historic journal, it constantly adapts its policies and editorial practices to meet the needs of the modern, rapidly changing scientific landscape.