Biosemiotics is dedicated to building a bridge between biology, philosophy, linguistics, and the communication sciences. Biosemiotic research is concerned with the study of signs and meaning in living organisms and systems. Its main challenge is to naturalize biological meaning and information by building on the belief that signs are fundamental, constitutive components of the living world. The journal is affiliated with the International Society for Biosemiotic Studies (ISBS).

Biosemiotics has triggered rethinking of fundamental assumptions in both biology and semiotics. In this view, biology should recognize the semiotic nature of life and reshape its theories and methodology accordingly while semiotics and the humanities should acknowledge the existence of signs beyond the human realm. Biosemiotics is at the cutting edge of research on the fundamentals of life, and particularly encourages methodology development and application of biosemiotic theory in empirical case studies. By challenging traditional assumptions on the nature of life and suggesting alternative perspectives, it opens up exciting new research paths.

  • Traces the growth and evolution of the discipline of biosemiotics
  • Presents peer-reviewed research into signs, communication, interpretation, and cognition in living organisms
  • Bridges biology, philosophy, linguistics and communication sciences
  • Encourages both methodology development and application of theory in empirical case studies

Journal information

Editors-in-Chief
  • Morten Tønnessen,
  • Filip Jaroš,
  • Alexei Sharov
Publishing model
Hybrid. Learn about publishing OA with us

Journal metrics

1.021 (2019)
Impact factor
1.331 (2019)
Five year impact factor
85 days
Submission to first decision
187 days
Submission to acceptance
44,337 (2019)
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Volume 13

Issue 2, August 2020

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This journal has 18 open access articles
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Journal updates

  • COVID-19 and impact on peer review

    As a result of the significant disruption that is being caused by the COVID-19 pandemic we are very aware that many researchers will have difficulty in meeting the timelines associated with our peer review process during normal times.  Please do let us know if you need additional time. Our systems will continue to remind you of the original timelines but we intend to be highly flexible at this time.

  • STUDENTS & EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS

    The completion of a PhD thesis often provides an excellent opportunity to offer significant new insights into research involving biosemiotics. As a student or early career researcher (defined as being up to two years after award of your PhD degree), you are encouraged to submit original research, a short communication, a review article, a perspective, book review or a historical essay for the following incentives: 1) a waiver of all color image publication charges; 2) a voucher for free access to any Springer publication in eBook form (up to a maximum value of 250 Euros/US dollars, and maximum one per year) in perpetuity; 3) article made freely accessible for 8 weeks after online first publication.

  • International Society for Biosemiotic Studies (ISBS)

    International Society for Biosemiotic Studies (ISBS)

    The purpose of the International Society for Biosemiotic Studies (ISBS) is to constitute an organizational framework for the collaboration among scholars dedicated to biosemiotic studies, and to propagate knowledge of this field of study to researchers in related areas, as well as to the public in general. Specifically, the ISBS will assure the organization of regular meetings on research into the semiotics of nature, as well as to promote all kinds of publication of scholarly work on the semiotics of life processes. 

    New Content Item

    Membership in the International Society for Biosemiotic Studies is only $10 per year and entitles members to discounts on new subscriptions to the journal Biosemiotics, as well as inclusion on the ISBS Mailing List announcing upcoming conferences, calls for papers, publication notices and events in biosemiotics.

    Become a member of the ISBS

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About this journal

Electronic ISSN
1875-1350
Print ISSN
1875-1342
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