Interview with New Phytologist Editor-in-Chief Alistair Hetherington (University of Bristol, UK) from July 2012. Alistair discusses his career and his long-serving relationship with New Phytologist resulting in his appointment as Editor-in-Chief. Alistair discusses his research and its implications for environment change and food security. He also looks at the future of New Phytologist and the publishing landscape in general.