New footprints on an old trail

I am thrilled to join Family Court Review (FCR) as the new Social Science Editor. I am honored and profoundly privileged to take on this prestigious role within the family law community. I approach this opportunity with an earnest appreciation for those who have contributed to the journal's history over the past sixty-plus years. I have tremendous respect for FCR's longstanding tradition of connecting scholarship, law, and mental health practice to support and serve children and families engaged in family law matters. The articles published in FCR have been instrumental to my own learning journey over the past two decades. My access to FCR through my AFCC membership has been one of the most significant benefits. I follow in the footsteps of giants in the field and an exceptional group of Social Science Editors whose collective wisdom has helped shape FCR into a leading voice in family law. From the early days of collaboration between scholars and jurists to the most recent tenure of Dr. Marsha Kline Pruett, each editor has brought unique insights and energy. Dr. Kline Pruett's leadership, intellectual curiosity, and inclusive approach have enhanced the journal's influence and reputation. Under her guidance as Social Science Editor, FCR has strengthened its interdisciplinary perspective, expanded its global reach, and remained unwavering in addressing the most challenging and divisive issues facing family law practitioners. It is an honor to carry on this legacy and continue the conversations she so skillfully fostered. FCR has always been distinguished by its dedication to embracing complexity rather than sidestepping it. The journal has never aimed to provide simple answers. Instead, it serves as a platform for rigorous investigation, critical reflection, and sincere collaborative discussions about the changing intersections of family, law, and society. In my work, situated at the intersection of social science research, social work, and family law, I have observed that real progress depends on collaboration across boundaries. It involves curiosity about what exists beyond one's own discipline. My editorial philosophy is guided by four key principles: rigor, relevance, inclusion, and integrity. While only a small portion of FCR articles are empirical studies, I believe that all manuscripts, whether conceptual, policy-oriented, or practice-focused, must demonstrate clarity, coherence, and grounding in the best available evidence, practice wisdom, and child-centred approaches. I am dedicated to increasing the diversity of voices and perspectives in FCR by mentoring emerging scholars, promoting interdisciplinary and international contributions, and ensuring that both conceptual and practice-oriented work meet the same standards of rigor and integrity as empirical research. My approach also emphasizes a purposeful approach that prioritizes social science evidence, identifies and prevents advocacy bias, and ensures that scholarship remains connected to the realities of the children and families we serve. As we look ahead, the challenges facing our field continue to expand in scope and complexity, including confronting and reducing polarization, supporting the authentic inclusion of children's voices, prioritizing safety-first approaches for children and families, screening and addressing family violence, enhancing responses in cases of parent–child contact problems, and increasing artificial intelligence literacy and the ethical use of technology. These are not isolated issues. They are interconnected, global, and urgent. In my role, I will also help the Editor-in-Chief identify and develop special problems, such as trauma-informed courts, international perspectives on co-parenting, and evaluations of court-involved programs. I am eager to work with our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, Barbara Babb, the AFCC leadership, Hofstra's Center for Children, Families, and the Law, and the exceptional student editorial team to maintain efficient workflows and ensure timely, high-quality publication. FCR is part of the larger AFCC community. I am most thankful for the incredible leadership of our Executive Director, Bryan Altman, and the Board of Directors. I am most appreciative of your accepting my application and providing me with this remarkable opportunity. To the community of readers, contributors, reviewers, AFCC members and practitioners in the field who support FCR, thank you for your dedication to advancing meaningful dialogue and your commitment to evidence-informed family law practice. Together, we uphold a tradition of rigorous, respectful, and innovative scholarship. I look forward to continuing this journey with you. Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed. Michael A. Saini is a Full Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and also holds a cross-appointment as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. He is the endowed Factor-Inwentash Chair in Law and Social Work and serves as Co-Director of the J.D./M.S.W. program. He is the past president of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). In 2019, he received the Stanley Cohen Distinguished Research Award from AFCC, sponsored by the Oregon Family Institute. He is also a two-time recipient of the Meyer Elkin Essay Award from the Family Court Review in 2018 and 2024.

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