Insights from Editorial Board Members: Spotlight on India – Professor Rajesh Gopakumar

28 Sep 2026 by Faye Holst Professor Rajesh Gopakumar

Professor Rajesh Gopakumar of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (ICTS-TIFR), Bengaluru, India, reflects on his experience working with IOP Publishing as a member of the Reports on Progress in Physics (ROPP) editorial board, and explains how review articles help researchers stay connected to developments beyond their immediate field. 

What appealed to you about joining the editorial board of ROPP? 

“I believe ROPP is a very special kind of journal. I was drawn towards its format of primarily invited articles which are, at least partly, meant to give outsiders to a subfield an overview of an active topic in various areas of physics. It acts as a countervailing force to the increasing specialization in subdisciplines, which can be a barrier to the kind of synthesis needed for true breakthroughs.  

The reviews, of differing lengths and comprehensiveness, give the flexibility to address rapid developments within a short time frame. Personally, it has been an enriching experience working on the editorial board alongside many distinguished colleagues and hearing about the various exciting developments across physics.”