This first issue of volume 71 of Phonetica marks the official start of my term as Editor. I take on this new challenge with enthusiasm and humility, on the understanding that publication of quality papers on current interdisciplinary research and theory in the phonetic sciences is essential to progress in the field and fosters scientific discussion among its members. First, I’d like to acknowledge the many people who have supported and continue to support this new phase for Phonetica. I am privileged to share stewardship of this esteemed journal with an outstanding scientific team (http://www.karger.com/Journal/ EditorialBoard/224275). The 2014 slate of Associate Editors and Board members represents leading-edge phonetics research from all corners of the world and across the array of disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches reflected in Phonetica’s communicative phonetic science perspective (see next paragraph). The team provides a balance of new and continuing members, thus offering a combination of fresh perspective and extensive editorial experience and knowledge of Phonetica. I am excited to be working with them – I am pleased that each has agreed to join me in taking Phonetica forward, and look forward to collaborating with them on the journey. I am also grateful to the Phonetica staff at Karger Publishers, who manage the processing of submitted manuscripts, production of published issues, promotion, and key aspects of communication with the scientific team (http://www.karger.com/Journal/Contact/224275). They are excellent, dedicated, and have been enormously helpful. Their support was crucial especially during the editorial transition period that began in September 2013, which also marked a shift to a new online system for manuscript submission and processing for Phonetica. Last and yet foremost, I thank Klaus Kohler, the outgoing Editor, for inviting me to assume the editorship of Phonetica. It is both an honour and a pleasure to take up the reins on this wonderful interdisciplinary forum for the communicative phonetic sciences that Professor Kohler and his editorial teams have created. I particularly appreciate his insightful and informative background on the journal’s history, mission and operations, as well as his help in making the editorial transition smooth. It am grateful as well that he served as Editor for two of the papers appearing in this first issue of 2014 [Pavlík, 2014; Tyler et al., 2014], and for his quick and supportive answers to the questions I have posed to him while learning to be Editor of Phonetica. I wish him a wonderful and well-deserved retirement, enjoying all the things he has been looking forward to doing. Published online: June 5, 2014 Phonetica 2014;71:1–3 DOI: 10.1159/000362503