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Soft Matter emerging investigators 2017.

Welcome to the third in a series of thematic issues of Soft Matter dedicated to the recent work of leading researchers in the field who are in the earlier stages of their careers as group leaders. A majority of those featured obtained their PhD within the last decade and all were invited on the recommendation of senior scientists within the community. The collection showcases both experimental and theoretical work from around the globe and features investigations across a wide diversity of soft materials, including polymers, liquid crystals, nanoparticles, foams, emulsions and biological matter. Highlights of the issue include an experimental investigation of the role played by hard nanoparticle cores in hydrogel composite monolayers by Isa et al. (DOI: 10.1039/ C6SM01020B), and a theoretical study providing insight into the dynamics of chromosomal loci in living cells by Sakaue and Saito (DOI: 10.1039/C6SM00775A). We are pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate the work of some of the individuals who will shape the future of soft matter research, and hope you will enjoy reading the contents. Dr Neil Hammond Executive Editor, Soft Matter DOI: 10.1039/c6sm90197b