Welcome to the Teal Journal: A New Look, A Greater Vision.
Journal
Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Journal Volume
40
Journal Issue
10
Pages
2351 - 2354
ISSN
1440-1746
Date Issued
2025-10
Author(s)
Abstract
In the fast-changing world of scientific publishing, identity matters. It is not just about the quality and integrity of the research being published—it is also about the identity of the journal that shares this with the world. For decades, the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (JGH) has been a leading voice in digestive and liver health, particularly across the dynamic and diverse Asia-Pacific region. Now, it enters a new chapter—with a refreshed mission, a bold new color, and a greater commitment to the community it serves. Teal is more than just a design update—it is a deliberate statement of identity. This distinctive hue blends the calm intelligence of blue with the revitalizing energy of green, capturing where JGH stands today: grounded in scientific evidence, open to innovation, and committed to renewal [1]. While the original orange once conveyed bold action and momentum, teal now signals a new phase—one marked by clarity, maturity, and vision. In the language of branding, color is never just aesthetic. Teal was selected with purpose, embodying the balance JGH strives to maintain in academic publishing: between scientific rigor and accessibility, tradition and innovation, regional relevance and global reach. It is a color that does not just reflect change—it represents leadership in navigating these contrasting attributes. As the official publication supported by the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation (JGHF), JGH has long been a platform for research that matters. From molecular science to public health, the journal bridges basic research, translational breakthroughs, and clinical application. It has published work from leading academic institutions as well as from clinicians innovating in resource-limited conditions—because progress in digestive and liver health must reflect the realities of the region in all its complexity. JGH's scope is broad: clinical gastroenterology, hepatology, epidemiology, microbiome science, endoscopy, artificial intelligence, nutrition, and more. What distinguishes the journal is not only the diversity of its content, but the lens through which it is curated—one that emphasizes scientific soundness while remaining anchored by a regional context. The journal offers insights that resonate globally while remaining deeply relevant locally. Supporting emerging leaders in gastroenterology and hepatology remains a cornerstone of JGH's mission. In recent years, the journal has featured an exciting wave of contributions from both early-career investigators and seasoned veterans who are on a common mission to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in digestive health. Their work has explored aspects of the aptly named green endoscopy movement, promulgating environmentally responsible approaches to GI and endoscopy practice [2] and addressed critical issues around representation and equity in the field, such as women's participation in major regional GI conferences [3]. This under-representation necessitates targeted measures to enhance women's roles in these meetings, thereby supporting their career advancement. A recent study also highlighted persistent gender disparities in authorship, underscoring the urgent need for greater inclusivity in academic publishing [4]. Beyond equity and sustainability, young researchers are also shaping clinical practice—such as through a regional survey on Helicobacter pylori management, which reflects both the shared challenges and collaborative efforts across Asia-Pacific [5]. JGH has further championed leadership development by publishing reflective pieces and practical strategies—from calls to nurture emerging GI leaders in the Asia-Pacific, to proposals for advancing training through simulation-based endoscopy education [6-8]. These contributions demonstrate that JGH is not just a repository of data—it is a platform shaping the future of the field. The journal also actively supports young investigators through initiatives like the annual JGH-IDDF Case/Video Champion competition, hosted at the International Digestive Disease Forum in Hong Kong in collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This initiative gives early-career clinicians a valuable platform to share impactful cases and innovations. Further strengthening this commitment is the JGH Foundation Editorial Fellowship (Figure 1). With six fellows from across the Asia-Pacific, the program offers early-career professionals hands-on editorial training, mentorship from senior editors, and the opportunity to build critical peer-review skills. By fostering editorial excellence and offering a behind-the-scenes look at scientific publishing, the fellowship ensures that promising scholars are well-equipped to lead the next generation of GI research in the Asia-Pacific. JGH recognizes that how science is consumed is rapidly evolving. Today's researchers and clinicians engage with content in more visual, mobile, and immediate formats. That is why the journal is embracing new and creative ways to make its content more accessible and impactful. One notable innovation is the promotion of graphical abstracts—visual summaries that help translate complex research into accessible, engaging formats—perfect for social media, mobile platforms, and time-pressed clinicians [9]. By promoting graphical abstracts, JGH aims to help studies reach wider audiences and for key messages to be shared more effectively (Figure 2). The journal encourages authors to include these visuals to enhance the discoverability and comprehension of their work. In addition, the journal is exploring other modern formats and innovations that make content more inclusive and appealing—particularly for younger audiences and readers who prefer visual or audio formats. The goal is to make high-quality GI research not just available, but also approachable and actionable. JGH is also pleased to adopt a more author-friendly and simplified submission format. Authors may now submit manuscripts in any format at the initial stage, making it easier to focus on content without being constrained by style requirements. This streamlined process is part of JGH's continued efforts to support contributors and reduce barriers to publication. The shift to teal symbolizes more than a visual transformation—it reflects JGH's evolving vision in a rapidly changing scientific landscape. Today, values such as open access, equitable authorship, research transparency, and inclusive dissemination are not just aspirations—they are essential. JGH is committed to these values. From digital-first strategies to enhanced mobile responsiveness and social media integration, the journal is continuously working to ensure its content is discoverable, approachable, and useful—particularly for the next generation of researchers and clinicians. It recognizes that scientific knowledge must be timely, trustworthy, and easy to share in a world where digital engagement continues to grow rapidly. Asia-Pacific is home to nearly 60% of the global population and bears a disproportionate burden of digestive and liver diseases. Conditions such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver, colorectal cancer, and Helicobacter pylori infection are not merely statistics—they represent daily clinical challenges faced by healthcare professionals across the region. JGH is deeply anchored in this context. Its editorial board, authors, and reviewers reflect a broad and diverse geographic and cultural spectrum—from Hong Kong to Manila, Melbourne to Seoul. The journal has consistently amplified voices from underrepresented nations and communities, and with this teal transformation, it invites even broader participation from interdisciplinary researchers, young investigators, and implementation scientists. This is an example of how “glocalization” is being implemented in our region. In addition to original research, JGH regularly publishes regionally relevant expert reviews and guidelines that shape clinical practice. Through these publications, JGH contributes directly to evidence-informed care and policymaking across the region. By spotlighting key research from flagship conferences such as the Asian Pacific Digestive Week (APDW) and the Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW), JGH also offers readers timely access to emerging science. This transformation is more than a cosmetic change. The move from orange to teal reflects a shift in mindset and mission. It signals the journal's responsiveness to the field's evolving needs and its readiness to lead with clarity, inclusivity, and vision. JGH has always been more than a journal—it is a bridge between bench and bedside, East and West, research and implementation. With its bold new look and renewed mission, JGH is more committed than ever to championing research that matters, supporting those who produce it, and helping shape the future of digestive and liver health. Welcome to The #TealJournal. The authors have nothing to report. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.
Subjects
Endoscopy
Gastroenterology
Hepatology
Journal
Type
editorial