To open this first issue of 2009 I would like to update you on the current state of the Journal and to look ahead to our plans and goals for the year ahead.

I am delighted to report that Plasma Sources Science and Technology (PSST) is in excellent health and in 2008 enjoyed the highest number of annual submissions in its history. The number of papers downloaded from our online services increased by 25% compared with the previous year, indicating that the Journal is reaching a wider audience than ever before. Our Impact Factor (2.12) remains high and very competitive with other journals in the field.

The success of the Journal is of course a reflection of the excellent research which is being conducted by the plasma physics community. I extend my thanks to our authors for continuing to choose PSST as a forum to report on for their outstanding work and to our referees, whose insightful comments and constructive criticism are instrumental in maintaining the quality of our publication. My many thanks also go to Richard van de Sanden, Bill Graham and Noah Hershkowitz and to the team at IOP Publishing who have supported me through my first full year as Editor-in-Chief. I particularly thank Caroline Wilkinson for her mentoring guidance.

At the beginning of 2008 we introduced a revised Editorial Policy which emphasized the need for all papers submitted in PSST to focus on fundamental plasma properties (http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/-page=scope/0963-0252 link to scope page). Our intention was to re-affirm the original guiding principles of the Journal and to strengthen its identity as a unique destination for research into the fundamental science of low temperature plasmas. The task of enforcing this policy---while remaining responsive to new areas of research---has proven to be quite a challenge. On occasion deciding whether a submission falls within or outside of the editorial policy comes down to a 'judgement-call' on the part of the editorial team. It is in cases like these that the support and advice of the Editorial Board is particularly invaluable.

A major achievement of the past year has been the publication of the '80 Years of Plasma' special issue (available to read in this issue) which celebrates the 80th anniversary of Irving Langmuir's first use of the term 'plasma' to describe gas discharges. Guest Editors Nick Braithwaite and Raoul Franklin worked tirelessly to bring together contributions from some of the most notable researchers currently working in the field. The resulting collection of papers provides a comprehensive review of the history of plasma research centred about Langmuir's contributions which I hope will provide a valuable resource for future generations of plasma physicists.

Looking to the year ahead, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Plasma Sources Science and Technology 'Most Highly Cited Paper Awards' whose goals are to recognize work which has had a significant long-term impact on the Journal and the plasma community as a whole. These will be awarded annually to the two papers which have received the highest number of citations over the preceding 5 and 10 year periods.

A second new initiative for 2009 is the introduction of a series of Invited Reviews named in honour of the founding Editor of the Journal, Professor Noah Hershkowitz. The 'Hershkowitz Early Career Review' will provide a forum for young researchers to showcase their research and to bring new and innovative work to the attention of the community. Further details will be announced over the coming months.

I look forward to working with you all over the coming year. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcomed.

M J Kushner, University of Michigan, Editor-in-Chief