Special Interview with Prof. Francesco Bartoli: Editor-in-Chief of Alpha Psychiatry

9 July 2025

We are honored to feature an exclusive interview with Prof. Francesco Bartoli, Editor-in-Chief of Alpha Psychiatry. In this interview, Prof. Bartoli reflects on his academic path and shares his insights on the current landscape of psychiatric research and publishing. Whether you're a contributor, reviewer, or emerging scholar, his reflections provide a thoughtful window into the evolving priorities of psychiatric publishing.

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself, including your academic background and current research focus?

I am an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and I also work as a General Adult Psychiatrist at the Department of Mental Health of San Gerardo Research Hospital, which is affiliated with my university. My current research mainly focuses on the clinical characterization of affective spectrum disorders, through both primary studies and evidence synthesis.

2. In your opinion, what are the emerging trends or hot topics in psychiatry that the journal should prioritize?

Our discipline needs more evidence that directly impacts clinical practice. Achieving this demands a stronger focus on improving the characterization and nosological understanding of mental disorders, as well as leveraging advanced analytical techniques to predict both short- and long-term treatment outcomes.

3. As EiC, what aspects of submitted manuscripts do you value the most?

The novelty of the explored topic and the quality of reporting are the main aspects I value in a submitted article. However, I also pay attention to studies that present “negative findings”: these papers are often overlooked by both editors and authors, yet they can be as valuable as those presenting novel discoveries. As an expert in meta-analyses, I believe that such studies can be crucial in minimizing selective reporting and publication bias.

4. What qualities do you think editorial board members need?

The role of an editor requires dedicating additional time beyond regular responsibilities. So, a genuine passion is essential to become a good editorial board member. This should complement the other key qualities needed to make an effective contribution to the development of a scientific journal, such as knowledge of the field, commitment to scientific rigor, and vision for the future direction of our discipline.

5. Could you share your perspective on the current strengths and positioning, as well as potential directions for future development, of the Alpha Psychiatry journal?

The main strength of Alpha Psychiatry lies in its broad content, which has great potential to attract both authors and readers interested in a wide range of topics with an immediate impact on clinical practice. This objective is supported by our international editorial team, which helps us reach a global audience and actively promotes the Journal worldwide.

6. What advice would you give to young researchers aspiring to publish in reputable journals?

As Editor-in-Chief of a journal with a growing reputation and as Director of the School of Specialization in Psychiatry at my institution, I closely follow the scientific work of early-career researchers. The most important quality they should cultivate is creativity, firmly rooted in deep and solid knowledge of our field. I recently read an interesting article suggesting that research leaders should foster creativity in young colleagues rather than encouraging only safe, mainstream research. I fully agree with this perspective.

We extend our gratitude to Prof. Bartoli for sharing his expertise and vision, and we look forward to the journal’s continued contributions to the advancement of psychiatric science.