Scientific Publishing - A Deputy Editor’s Perspective

Kathleen TooRoyal Society of Chemistry

Friday 26th November 2010

University of Glasgow

Deputy Editor, RSCDeputy Editor, RSC

Owned by: the European Photochemistry Association (EPA), the European Society for Photobiology (ESP), the Asia and Oceania Society for Photobiology (AOSP) and the Korean Society of Photoscience (KSP).

Owned by Centre Nationale de la recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Owned by the RSC

Royal Society of Chemistry

• Formed in 1980 from The Chemical Society (1841), Royal Institute of Chemistry, Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry

• Learned society

• 46,000 members worldwide

• Click to add an outline

Where are we?

• Approximately 360 staff and growing!

Burlington House, London Thomas Graham House, Cambridge

What do we do?

Publishing

Conferences

MembershipLibrary and

Information Services

Education

Science and

Technology

• Not-for-profit publisher – surplus is invested to support the advance of the chemical

sciences

RSC

Chemical Scientists at the RSC

Sales:membership, journals, books

Making the news: RSC News, Chemistry World, campaigns

LIC:information specialists

Publishing:journals & books

Education:HE policy, supporting schools & colleges

Parliamentary activities

Supporting members:networks, local sections, advice & help

Science policy

Conferences:Events organiser

What is RSC Publishing?

• RSC publishing activity dates back to 1841

• 30 Journals– Approx. 35,000 submissions (2009)– Approx. 10,000 articles published (2009)– Online journal archive (220,000 articles back to 1841)

• 80+ Books/year, ca. 350 titles in print– Almost 1000 ebooks available

• Databases, such as Analytical Abstracts• Magazines, including Chemistry World

New Journals

• The editor is ultimately responsible for the quality and selection of manuscripts for the journal

• Managing the peer review process

• Editor may be a well-respected academic

• RSC - Dedicated team of editors

Role of Editor

Peer-review process

Receipt Assessment Rejection

PEER REVIEW

Acceptance Publication

Appeal

• Publishing Editor’s role– Initial screening– Select suitable reviewers, database of over 20,000

referees• Referee’s role

– Comment on science– Make recommendation

• Publishing Editor’s role– Interpret referee report – Make decision– Communicate with authors and referees

PE: Peer-review process

PE: Technical editing/production

• Copy-editing of manuscripts

• Formatting, graphics, assistance with language

• Added value to articles

• Technical development/website

design

Journal Development

Development Editor Deputy Editor Managing Editor

Maintain, improve and develop quality of journal

(Impact Factors, Usage, blogs, conferences, hot areas)• Commissioning of articles and new content• Branding & quality of the Journal• Appoint experts to the Editorial and Advisory Board• Willingness to travel• Excellent interpersonal skills• Excellent communication skills

Promotion of published content

Writing news articles and science journalism • Website news and blogs• Chemistry World

Graduate Training Scheme at the RSC

• Exciting and diverse organisation with worldwide activities

• Team work and varied daily challenges    • Good honours, masters or PhD degree (chemical or related

science is essential for some positions).

• Posts are for 1 year on a temporary contract, with the possibility of a permanent position on completion.

How did I get into publishing?

• PhD at the University of Leeds• 2 ½ years post-doc at the Medical Research Council,

Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK• Wanted to work in science, but not necessarily in the

lab…• Enjoy reading and writing papers• Enjoy refereeing papers (develop critical thinking!) • Enjoy interacting with people• Possible career in publishing

Graduate Training Scheme at RSC

£ and Opportunities

• Starting salaries for trainees start from £22,464• Deputy Editor £30,000

• Many opportunities to move up/across

e.g.• Deputy editor/Managing editor• Books Commissioning editor• Conference Executive• Web development • Science journalism - Chemistry World correspondent

Career Opportunities

• Graduate trainee http://www.rsc.org/AboutUs/rscwork/Graduates/index.asp

Publishing EditorDevelopment Editor

Senior Publishing Editor

Managing Editor

Deputy Managing Editor

Publisher

Assistant Manager / SPE

Manager Editorial Production

STM Publishing

Scientific, technical and medical (STM) publishing is…

a great way of staying in science without doing research, and it combines interests in science and language.

Thank you!

• The most highly cited green chemistry journal, Impact factor = 5.84*

• Fast Publication, typically <90 days for full papers

• Full variety of research including reviews, communications, full papers and perspectives•*2009 Thomson Scientific (ISI) Journal Citation Reports

Kathleen TooDeputy Editor green-RSC@rsc.org