- The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is a learned society and scientific publisher formed in 1980 through the merger of several chemical societies dating back to 1841. - As a publisher, the RSC publishes over 30 journals, 80+ books per year, databases, and magazines. The RSC employs around 360 staff across its offices in London and Cambridge. - The document discusses the roles and responsibilities of editors and publishing staff at the RSC, including managing the peer review process, developing journals, promoting published content, and career opportunities in scientific publishing.

1. Scientific Publishing - A Deputy Editor’s Perspective Kathleen Too Royal Society of Chemistry Friday 26 th November 2010 University of Glasgow

2. Deputy Editor, RSC Deputy 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

3. 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

4. Where are we? Approximately 360 staff and growing! Burlington House, London Thomas Graham House, Cambridge

5. What do we do? Not-for-profit publisher – surplus is invested to support the advance of the chemical sciences Publishing Conferences Membership Library and Information Services Education Science and Technology RSC

6. 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

7. 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

8. New Journals

9. 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

10. Peer-review process Receipt Assessment Rejection PEER REVIEW Acceptance Publication Appeal

11. 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

12. PE: Technical editing/production Copy-editing of manuscripts Formatting, graphics, assistance with language Added value to articles Technical development/website design

13. 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

14. Promotion of published content Writing news articles and science journalism Website news and blogs Chemistry World

15. 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.

16. 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

17. £ 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

18. Career Opportunities Graduate trainee http://www.rsc.org/AboutUs/rscwork/Graduates/index.asp Publishing Editor Development Editor Senior Publishing Editor Managing Editor Deputy Managing Editor Publisher Assistant Manager / SPE Manager Editorial Production

19. 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.

20. 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 Too Deputy Editor [email_address]