Dear readers of Frontiers in Built Environment, As the Field Chief Editor for Frontiers in Built Environment, I am happy to present this curated selection of papers that have made a significant impact within our community. Among the large number of submissions that we received, these 14 papers represent some of the best published in 2023, the year when the journal attained its first impact factor. With many high-quality papers to consider, in selecting these 14 articles we faced the challenging task of how to include papers from across the 15 distinct sections of the journal whilst at the same time achieving a sense of cohesion to the ebook overall. However, amidst this diversity, we noticed a convergence in our highest-quality papers around three pivotal themes that are central to our journal’s mission: resilience, sustainability, and technology. In this way, despite the broad range of topics covered within both our journal and this selection, this ebook can truly be considered representative of our journal as a whole. These carefully chosen papers encompass high-quality original research and comprehensive reviews, which also embody the ethos of innovation and excellence that defines our journal. As the Field Chief Editor, I am thankful to all authors who have enriched our journal with their high-caliber work. I extend sincere appreciation to the dedicated efforts of our editors and reviewers, whose invaluable contributions have been instrumental in shaping Frontiers in Built Environment in 2023.

Welcome to our Editor’s Pick collection for Frontiers in Public Health, showcasing a curated selection of the most impactful and innovative articles in the field. These articles were specially hand-picked by our Field Chief Editor, Professor Paolo Vineis, of Imperial College London. This compilation highlights the breadth and depth of contemporary public health research, featuring studies that address pressing global health challenges and propose practical solutions. We have categorized the selected articles into 8 categories for ease of readership: Aging and Chronic Diseases; Child and Maternal Health; Environmental Health and Climate Change; Infectious Diseases; Implementation Science and Experimental Studies; Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Health; Mental Health and Emerging Public Health Issues. Each chosen article not only advances scientific understanding but also underscores the importance of evidence-based practices and policies in improving population health. We are proud to present this diverse array of research that not only reflects the current state of the field but also aims to inspire further inquiry and innovation. 2022 and 2023 were landmark years for the journal, which saw tremendous growth and interest in open access. Our goal is to spotlight the exceptional work of our authors, foster readership and innovation through our open-access principles, and extend our gratitude to our Editorial Board for their persistent dedication and teamwork.

Social housing has been a forefront research topic especially from its economic and socio-cultural factors. The nature of social housing in the Arabian Gulf Countries has been distinctive in its approach with usually generous areas and urban sprawl designs. Recently, most of these Arabian Gulf Countries have gone through profound transformation in their social and housing paradigms influenced by their sustainability adopted agendas. Still, scholarly documentation and analysis of the processes and products of these transformed paradigms are largely missing, or at least fragmented. So, there is a desperate need to boost research work in this field as related to each city/country in this region, with largely expected mutual effects that these experiences might have on each other and on the global debate about sustainable and resilient social housing as a whole.

Welcome to our Editor’s Pick collection for Public Health Education and Promotion, a specialty section within Frontiers in Public Health. In this collection, we showcase a selection of the most innovative and impactful articles in the section. These articles were selected by our Specialty Chief Editor, Professor Christiane Stock, of the Institute of Health and Nursing Science at Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. This geographically diverse collection brings together critical research addressing a wide array of issues, from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to the climate crisis. These articles represent the forefront of public health education and promotion scholarship, including effective educational approaches to improve vaccination rates, to continuously evolve public health curricula to address emerging global health challenges, and develop personalised, participatory and inclusive approaches for public health education and promotion. Our hope is for this collection to offer a roadmap for public health advancement through diverse, innovative strategies tailored to various cultural and regional contexts. We wish to spotlight exceptional work of our authors, foster readership through our open-access principles, and extend our gratitude to our Editorial Board for their dedication.

‘Represents the culmination of an 18-month-long project that aims to be the definitive review of this important topic. Accompanied by a scholarly literature review, some new analysis, and a wealth of evidence and insight... the report is a tour de force; a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take stock.’ – Dr Steven Hill, Head of Policy, HEFCE, LSE Impact of Social Sciences Blog ‘A must-read if you are interested in having a deeper understanding of research culture, management issues and the range of information we have on this field. It should be disseminated and discussed within institutions, disciplines and other sites of research collaboration.’ – Dr Meera Sabaratnam, Lecturer in International Relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, LSE Impact of Social Sciences Blog Metrics evoke a mixed reaction from the research community. A commitment to using data and evidence to inform decisions makes many of us sympathetic, even enthusiastic, about the prospect of granular, real-time analysis of our own activities. Yet we only have to look around us at the blunt use of metrics to be reminded of the pitfalls. Metrics hold real power: they are constitutive of values, identities and livelihoods. How to exercise that power to positive ends is the focus of this book. Using extensive evidence-gathering, analysis and consultation, the authors take a thorough look at potential uses and limitations of research metrics and indicators. They explore the use of metrics across different disciplines, assess their potential contribution to the development of research excellence and impact and consider the changing ways in which universities are using quantitative indicators in their management systems. Finally, they consider the negative or unintended effects of metrics on various aspects of research culture. Including an updated introduction from James Wilsdon, the book proposes a framework for responsible metrics and makes a series of targeted recommendations to show how responsible metrics can be applied in research management, by funders, and in the next cycle of the Research Excellence Framework. The metric tide is certainly rising. Unlike King Canute, we have the agency and opportunity – and in this book, a serious body of evidence – to influence how it washes through higher education and research.

This timely Handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of research on changing behaviour to become less environmentally harmful. Exploring how well-designed, contextually appropriate behaviour change interventions can work, it charts a path that challenges traditional assumptions to maximise environmental impact.