This paper presents new developments in inorganic scintillators widely used for radiation detection. It addresses major emerging research topics outlining current needs for applications and material sciences issues with the overall aim to provide an up-to-date picture of the field. While the traditional forms of scintillators have been crystals and ceramics, new research on films, nanoparticles and micro- structured materials is discussed as these material forms can bring new functionalitiy and therefore find applications in radiation detetction. The last part of the contribution reports on the very recent evolutions of the most advanced theories, methods and analyses to describe the scintillation mechanisms.