Looking further ahead, in 2023, we will be making a special effort to raise the profile of comparative physiology and biomechanics research as JEB celebrates its centenary. This is a fabulous opportunity for us to not only reflect on the rich archive of ‘experimental biology’ research published in the journal over the past 100 years – including papers by at least three Nobel prize winners and seminal papers that have gone on to launch and shape some of the subfields in modern-day research – but also to look forward and consider the future direction(s) of experimental biology over the next 100 years and how it intersects with other scientific disciplines. One of the key reasons for JEB's longevity is the resourcefulness and dedication of the researchers in the field and we truly feel that this is as much a celebration of the experimental biology community as of the journal. Over the next year, we will be planning a variety of events, activities, awards and journal content to recognise this milestone and we would like to involve as many of you as possible in our celebrations. Please look out for a Call for Papers later in the year and, in the meantime, if you have any suggestions for ways that we can provide additional support to the community or take part in events that you are arranging in 2023, we would love to hear from you.

Box 2. Some of the JEB papers that attracted media attention in 2021

Carnahan, A. M., van Manen, F. T., Haroldson, M. A., Stenhouse, G. B. and Robbins, C. T. (2021). Quantifying energetic costs and defining energy landscapes experienced by grizzly bears. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb241083.

Choy, E. S., O'Connor, R. S., Gilchrist, H. G., Hargreaves, A. L., Love, O. P., Vézina, F. and Elliott, K. H. (2021). Limited heat tolerance in a cold-adapted seabird: implications of a warming Arctic. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb242168.

Chusyd, D. E., Nagy, T. R., Golzarri-Arroyo, L., Dickinson, S. L., Speakman, J. R., Hambly, C., Johnson, M. S., Allison, D. B. and Brown, J. L. (2021). Adiposity, reproductive and metabolic health, and activity levels in zoo Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb219543.

Harrison, J. S., Porter, M. L., McHenry, M. J., Robinson, H. E. and Patek, S. N. (2021). Scaling and development of elastic mechanisms: the tiny strikes of larval mantis shrimp. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb235465.

Horký, P., Grabic, R., Grabicová, K., Brooks, B. W., Douda, K., Slavik, O., Hubená, P., Sancho Santos, E. M. and Randák, T.  (2021). Methamphetamine pollution elicits addiction in wild fish. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb242145.

Katz, I., Shomrat, T. and Nesher, N. (2021). Feel the light: sight-independent negative phototactic response in octopus arms. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb237529.

McNamara, M. P., Singleton, J. M., Cadney, M. D., Ruegger, P. M., Borneman, J. and Garland, T. (2021). Early-life effects of juvenile Western diet and exercise on adult gut microbiome composition in mice. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb239699.

Mehta, R. S. and Donohoe, K. R. (2021). Snowflake morays, Echidna nebulosa, exhibit similar feeding kinematics in terrestrial and aquatic treatments. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb234047.

Pagano, A. M. and Williams, T. M. (2021). Physiological consequences of Arctic sea ice loss on large marine carnivores: unique responses by polar bears and narwhals. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb228049.

Thompson, N. E., Rubinstein, D., Parrella-O'Donnell, W., Brett, M. A., Demes, B., Larson, S. G. and O'Neill, M. C. (2021). The loss of the ‘pelvic step’ in human evolution. J. Exp. Biol. 224, jeb240440.