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 [email protected]
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