Handing off the Torch

Genetics: A Periodical Record of Investigations Bearing on Heredity and Variation

article

Mark Johnston¹ 

[1]University of Colorado School of Medicine

DOI  :  10.1534/genetics.120.303841

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Genetics Society of America

【 摘 要 】

This is the last issue ofGENETICS that will carry my name on its masthead. I have served as Editor in Chief for 12 years, overseeing publication of 144 issues of the journal. I’ve enjoyed (almost) every minute of it; it’s been a satisfying and rewarding experience. I leave not because I’m tired of the job, but because turnover—change—is good for an enterprise like this one. Necessary, even. I’ve stayed long enough; it’s time for new ideas and new energy. We made many changes in the journal since I took on the role, including: • In 2008 we reorganized the Editorial Board, dividing it into topical sections, each headed by a Senior Editor supported by about a dozen Associate Editors. • We revised the scope statement to make clear our expectations for papers published in the journal. • We improved manuscript turnaround times to give authors timely decisions. • We converted the journal to online only publication, reflecting how the majority of our readers accessed it. • We established one of the first journal open data policies, ensuring that the data underlying papers published in the journal are available for others to analyze and build upon. • We were the first journal to partner with bioRxiv to enable seamless submission of manuscripts from that preprint server to our journal. • We produced YeastBook, WormBook, and FlyBook, to provide authoritative reviews of current knowledge and the state-ofthe-art of research on those keystone model organisms. • We assembled topical series of papers on subjects especially important to our field, such as Genomic Prediction, and Multiparent Populations, helping to encourage those areas of research. • We coordinated with G3: Genes│Genomes│Genetics editors to help establish our sister journal as a well-respected venue for publishing useful genetic data and findings. • We developed and implemented a peer-review training program to give early-career colleagues mentored, hands-on experience with peer review. Of course all of that was mostly done by others. The Senior Editors collaborated with me on all editorial and policy matters; their input was essential. Staff provided crucial input and guidance on editorial and policy issues, then implemented our decisions and plans expertly, efficiently, and effectively. The Books—Yeast, Worm, Fly—succeeded because of the work done by their Editorial Boards, and especially by their Editors in Chief (thanks Alan, Iva, and Lynn!). Our topical series established GENETICS as the leading journal for some important areas in our field because of the dedication of the editors who oversaw those initiatives (thanks Lauren and DJ!). A successful journal is the result of hard work by many devoted people; the Editor in Chief does little of the heavy lifting.

【 授权许可】

CC BY