Professor Rainer Spanagel will step down from his role as Editor-in-Chief of Addiction Biology at the end of 2026, after more than two decades leading the journal.
Since Professor Spanagel’s appointment in 2005, the field of addiction and the landscape of academic publishing have both changed considerably, with shifts in attitudes within addiction science and in how journals are accessed. Under his leadership, the journal transitioned to fully open access in 2024, ensuring that all newly published articles are available to read and download for free.
Addiction Biology was first published in 1996 as a peer-reviewed quarterly publication for neuroscience and addiction research by the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA). Throughout Professor Spanagel’s tenure, the journal has remained focused on advancing the understanding of substances and addiction from a neuroscience perspective – publishing papers that span behavioural, molecular, genetic, biochemical, neurobiological, and pharmacological fields of animal experimentation and clinical research.
The international breadth of the field is reflected in the journal’s recent content, with contributions from researchers and institutions across Asia, Europe, and North America.
In addition to his role as Editor-in-Chief, Professor Spanagel is Scientific Director of the Institute of Psychopharmacology at the Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, and Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, where his research focuses on the neurobiology of reward and addiction, using an interdisciplinary, multi-systems approach.
He was recognised in 2024 as the winner of the Jellinek Memorial Award for his “outstanding preclinical and translational contributions to the pharmacotherapy of alcohol use disorders”.
Professor Owen Bowden-Jones, President of the SSA, said: “Rainer’s contribution to addiction science has been hugely impressive, as highlighted by him receiving the Jellinek Memorial Award in 2024. One of his many significant contributions has been overseeing the Addiction Biology journal as Editor-in-Chief for the last two decades. Rainer has skilfully steered the journal through a turbulent period for academic publishing, including the journal’s move to open access, and he leaves an important legacy for both the Society and the wider academic community.”
Professor Karen Ersche, SSA trustee and Professor of Addiction Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, said: “Over more than two decades, Professor Spanagel has combined rigorous editorial standards with a commitment to advancing our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. As Editor-in-Chief of Addiction Biology, he has championed high-quality research that has pushed the field forward.”
Dr Sarah Welch, Vice President of the SSA, said: “Under Professor Spanagel’s leadership, Addiction Biology has become an internationally renowned publication for neuroscience and addiction research, publishing outstanding work from a global community of scientists across Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond.”
Dr Rob Calder, the SSA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Professor Spanagel has achieved so much during his 21 years as Editor-in-Chief of Addiction Biology. The SSA is incredibly grateful to Rainer for his dedication, expertise, and vision, and for his outstanding contribution to the journal and the wider addiction research community over more than two decades.”
by Fiona Hughes
The Society owns two academic journals – Addiction and Addiction Biology – and invests all income from these publications back into the sector to support people, projects, and research in addiction science. Find out more.
