This editorial introduces the journal *Network Science*, which aims to establish a unified field of study focused on the collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of relational data. The editors, from various disciplines, emphasize the importance of network science in understanding complex systems across different fields. They argue that network science is more than just a buzz phrase and is a legitimate scientific discipline with a bright future. The editorial discusses the need for a common conceptual framework and the importance of empirical research to validate network models. It highlights the unique characteristics of network data, such as the incidence structure of the domain and the dependence between variables, which set network science apart from traditional data analysis. The editors also outline the scope of the journal, inviting contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including information science, computer science, economics, psychology, public health, physics, and sociology. They emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need to address the evolving nature of network science.This editorial introduces the journal *Network Science*, which aims to establish a unified field of study focused on the collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of relational data. The editors, from various disciplines, emphasize the importance of network science in understanding complex systems across different fields. They argue that network science is more than just a buzz phrase and is a legitimate scientific discipline with a bright future. The editorial discusses the need for a common conceptual framework and the importance of empirical research to validate network models. It highlights the unique characteristics of network data, such as the incidence structure of the domain and the dependence between variables, which set network science apart from traditional data analysis. The editors also outline the scope of the journal, inviting contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including information science, computer science, economics, psychology, public health, physics, and sociology. They emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need to address the evolving nature of network science.