KIR: A platform for researchers worldwide, emerging voices, and progress in global kidney care
Ten years ago, Kidney International Reports® (KIR) launched with a clear mission: to expand access to high-quality kidney research and ensure that important discoveries reach clinicians, researchers, and health systems worldwide.
Over the past decade, the journal has published studies that have shaped care and policy, fostered opportunities for early-career researchers to contribute and collaborate, and elevated voices from low- and middle-income countries (LMICS) and regions historically underrepresented in the research literature.
Advancing global impact in kidney care
Research such as “Structures, organization, and delivery of kidney care to children living in low-resource settings,” has highlighted the challenges of delivering pediatric kidney care in resource-limited settings and outlined opportunities to strengthen services for children.
Other influential work has explored the evolving burden of chronic kidney disease. “Impact of improved diagnosis and treatment on holistic CKD burden” examined how advances in early detection and treatment could reduce the broader health and societal consequences of CKD.
The journal has also helped disseminate influential guidance shaping clinical decision-making. Examples include the CARI guideline on balanced electrolyte solutions to improve kidney transplant outcomes and the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and UK Kidney Association guideline summary on hypertension management in diabetic kidney disease.
Supporting early-career investigators
Beyond the research it publishes, KIR has become known for fostering the next generation of nephrology investigators through several strategies, including pairing early-career researchers with more experienced colleagues to expand mentoring and collaboration opportunities.
“We encourage early-career investigators as first and senior authors and graphical abstract authors on key topics, and early-career colleagues to serve as reviewers, often paired with more senior mentors,” explains the editorial team. They add, “We have encouraged commentaries to include a senior and junior author – often folks who have not worked with each other in an effort to increase opportunities, exposure, and mentoring of these junior faculty.”
Elevating voices from underrepresented regions
Another defining strength of the journal has been its commitment to global representation in kidney research. “From the outset, KIR has encouraged submissions from LMICs and underrepresented regions and has tried to meet those authors where they are,” explain the editors. This approach has included fee waivers or discounts where possible, proactive invitations to contribute to special collections, including regional guidelines, and editorial support to help promising work meet publication standards.
The journal has also created a dedicated space for research reflecting different healthcare environments. As the editors note, “We have prioritized studies that address local health system realities, context-specific interventions, and regional disease patterns through our ‘Regional Reports’ article subcategory.”
Advancing research with a tangible impact on kidney care, supporting the next generation of investigators, and elevating the voices of the global nephrology community have been defining themes of KIR’s first decade. As the journal enters its second decade, these priorities remain central to its mission.
Further reading
