Communications of the ACM is the leading monthly print and online magazine for the elite professionals working in the computing and information technology fields. Communications is recognized as the most trusted and knowledgeable source of news, opinions, research, technology, and public-policy information for scientists and practitioners, and has developed a reputation over 50 years for providing the high-est-quality information by and for computing professionals in industry and academia.

In July 2008, the format and editorial structure of the magazine will undergo significant change. This new editorial model has been developed to broaden the appeal of the magazine for both practitioners and researchers in industry and academia in all fields of computing and information technology, and to provide for a more international and diverse forum for ideas, practical applications of technology, and scholarly research. (For more details regarding this editorial redirection, see “CACM: Past, Present, and

 

NEW EDITORIAL STRUCTURE

Beginning with the July 2008 issue, the magazine will consist primarily of six main editorial sections: News, Viewpoints, Practice, Review Articles, Contributed Articles, and Research Highlights. In addition, the magazine will continue to publish Letters to the Editor and will add a new section called Last Byte.

In order to manage the flow of articles for the new structure as efficiently as possible and to ensure a high degree of rigor and quality for the magazine, a new editorial board has been organized to oversee the selection of content based on this new editorial structure. The board operates both as a single unit and in more focused teams consistent with the new editorial sections.

While the selection criteria and editorial process for articles will vary by section, the board

Future” in the January 2008 issue.) Submissions may include content that can be presented online and is distinct from material submitted for the print publication.

As a result of this new structure there will be greater competition for publishing articles in the magazine. Submissions must address topics of relevance and professional value to a very broad-based readership. It is best to remember that most readers are not experts in the author’s particular discipline, but expect to get a broad perspective on computing practice and research. It is important for authors to take into account the broad composition of the ACM membership.

Communications’ readers represent every known computing discipline. Among ACM’s 65,000 professional members, about 65% are computing practitioners and managers and 30% are academics and researchers. The majority of readers have advanced degrees; among the professional members, 35% have master’s degrees and 31% hold a Ph.D. Most members have been involved in computing for more than 12 years.

is responsible for maintaining a consistently high level of quality for all sections and for ensuring the magazine publishes across a broad spectrum of topics that appeal to an international readership of practitioners, researchers, and educators.

AUTHOR GUIDELINES

Communications will continue to welcome unsolicited submissions for publication in the magazine. Certain sections, including Practice and Last Byte, will publish articles by invitation only.

Submissions to the magazine must address topics of relevance and professional value and be written for a broad readership. Submissions that provide a broad perspective on computing practice and research and appeal to a larger segment of the ACM membership and computing community will be given priority over articles that require