System (journal)

The journal is abstracted and indexed in:

• EBSCO databases
• International Bibliography of Periodical Literature
• Modern Language Association Database
• Scopus
• Social Sciences Citation Index

According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal had a 2025 impact factor of 8.0, ranking it 5th out of 312 journals in the category "Linguistics" and 16th out of 762 journals in the category "Education".

As of January 2026, the editors-in-chief are Mairin Hennebry-Leung (University of Melbourne), Chun Lai (University of Hong Kong), Jim McKinley (University College London), and Yongyan Zheng (Fudan University).

Former editors

Former editors of the journal include:

Associate editors

At different points in its history, System has appointed associate editors with responsibility for handling manuscript submissions and peer review, a role commensurate with journal editor leadership. From 2010 to 2013, James A. Coleman served as editor-in-chief with Lluïsa Astruc, Regine Hampel and, during 2013, Xuesong (Andy) Gao serving as associate editors. Following Coleman's departure, the journal adopted a co-editor structure without a separate associate-editor tier. The associate-editor role was later reintroduced as the journal's editorial structure expanded. Several associate editors, including Idoia Elola, Yongyan Zheng and Chun Lai, later became editors-in-chief.

Student Editorial Board

System established a Student Editorial Board in 2022, led by 'Student Editor', Nathan Thomas, to provide doctoral students with experience of editorial work, including manuscript reviewing and editorial decision-making under the guidance of the journal's editors. The board continues as part of the journal's editorial structure.

Book review editors

The journal has had a dedicated book review editor since 1977.