Call for Manuscript Submissions for the New L&O Bulletin Virtual Issue: “How to”—Compiling Collective Knowledge to Reduce Barriers for Aquatic Scientists

In February 2019, Dave Hambright took the reins as Editor-in-Chief of L&O, becoming the ninth editor to lead the journal since its founding in 1956. I sat down with Dave to talk about his first year as EiC, developments in the journal, and his plans for the coming year. ED: WELCOME, DAVE. FIRST, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE ROLE OF EIC FOR ASLO'S FLAGSHIP JOURNAL, AND WHAT YOUR INITIAL GOALS WERE FOR THE JOURNAL. YOU HAD A LONG HISTORY OF REVIEWING FOR AND PUBLISHING IN L&O. HAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE JOURNAL CHANGED SINCE BECOMING EIC? DH: Actually, I began handling all new manuscripts in December 2018 and fully took over from the previous editor in February 2019. I cannot really say that I was attracted to the role of EiC for L&O, but after a number of colleagues approached me with the idea, I began to seriously consider the position and how I could serve and contribute to the journal, then ultimately applying for and being selected by ASLO. With regard to goals, initially, I came in with a single goal: to keep ASLO's flagship journal at the forefront of scientific advancement and understanding in the aquatic sciences, and as a journal that serves both as a visionary magnet for aspiring young limnologists and oceanographers, and as an enduring venue for those of us who want to make a positive and long-lasting difference in our world. After my first year, I would say that this goal has not really changed. As for perspective, if anything, my perspective on the journal has strengthened. ASLO has always been my primary society and L&O has always been my primary journal. I am very proud of every one of my L&O papers. L&O is the first journal to which I turn to for identifying and understanding the current extent of knowledge on any topic related to the aquatic sciences and is always at the top on my list of possible venues for publishing my own research. My aim as EiC is to make these statements true for all of ASLO, as well as for anyone else involved in the aquatic sciences. ED: IT'S TYPICAL FOR NEW EDITORS TO SPEND THEIR FIRST MONTHS ON THE JOB REVIEWING AND FINE-TUNING JOURNAL PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONS, STUDYING JOURNAL METRICS AND STATISTICS, RECRUITING NEW EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS AND REVIEWERS, AND GENERALLY GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND. AND OF COURSE HANDLING THE STEADY STREAM OF SUBMISSIONS THAT COME TO A LARGE JOURNAL LIKE L&O. WHAT, IF ANYTHING, HAS SURPRISED YOU IN YOUR FIRST YEAR ON THE JOB? DH: I do have to admit that the learning curve associated with this job has been the steepest and fastest paced learning curve that I have ever faced. At the same time, the cadre of Associate Editors, new and seasoned, editors of our other ASLO journals, the staff at Wiley, members of the ASLO Board and Publications committee, and of course, you, as ASLO Executive Director, have all been so incredibly helpful as I navigated the waters of L&O. I have spent a great deal of the last 2 years pouring through journal stats, including stats of some of our competitors, to better understand the history and current status of the journal, as well as to see many of the possible futures that lie ahead. To no surprise, Bob Howarth, the previous EiC, left the journal in great shape, with its highest JIF ever in 2018, and subsequently with record submission rates in 2019. The biggest surprise, and this is industry wide, has been learning just how difficult it can be to find reviewers for our manuscripts. Of the nearly 3200 invitations we issued last year to potential reviewers, only 42% accepted the invitation. Authors and reviewers alike may not realize it, but this difficulty in getting manuscript reviews translates into the largest source of delay in the review process from submission to first decision. It has always struck me as odd that authors and reviewers represent virtually the same pool of researchers, yet the review process is viewed so differently depending on whether a researcher is wearing his or her author hat or reviewer hat at any given time. ED: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE JOURNAL OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS? ARE THERE ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS AUTHORS AND READERS CAN EXPECT IN THE COMING YEAR? DH: My primary goal is quite simple: to maintain the pre-eminence of L&O in basic and applied limnology and oceanography, a venue that supports and encourages global viewpoints, rigorous and defendable science, and the highest visibility for the broadest diversity of researchers possible. As for upcoming developments, given that we are now 16+ months into my term, our society members have probably already seen a number of changes. We have revamped the journal's Aims and Scope to be more reflective of our true nature, that is, to be inclusive across the highly diverse discipline of aquatic sciences. We have moved to online only, with a Print on Demand (POD) option for our Lifetime members and others wishing to keep a hard copy. Importantly, especially from the authors' viewpoints, we are now publishing monthly, in a 12 + 1, regular + special issue, configuration, rather than a 6 + 1 configuration. This new monthly schedule means that papers will move from Early View to actual publication in a specific issue much more quickly than before. We are also gradually revamping the ScholarOne author interface in partnership with Wiley, to make manuscript submission simpler: we replaced the cover letter with a significance statement; we dropped the dual requirement of black and white and color figures, moving solely to color; and we no longer require a color figure charge. In order to make sure manuscripts get into the most qualified hands possible for review, we are now requiring authors to recommend both handling associate editors and potential reviewers most suited to provide knowledgeable, fair, and unbiased review. Along with these suggestions, we ask authors to state explicitly their rationale for reviewer and associate editor recommendations. Finally, we now want to hear why the authors feel that L&O is the best venue for publication of their research. A subtle, yet important, goal that I am pursuing, and many of our recent authors will know this, is a reduction in overall article page length. Beginning in the mid-2000s, L&O papers began a steady increase in average length from a long-term mean of 10 pages to one approaching 16 pages. The five-year average (2015–2019) was 15 pages. To my mind, overly long articles represent a major deterrent for reviewers, and unnecessarily increase the burden on the editorial board. Importantly, the increased mean length of articles coupled with the increased number of submissions to the journal in recent years, plays a large part in contributing to the ever-increasing problem of reviewer fatigue. Of course, some articles will be longer than average by design, such as with reviews, or large, long-term, complex, collaborative studies, and that is okay. But 10 pages should provide ample space for the vast majority of research that we publish. As such, we have been encouraging authors to aim for more efficiency in their presentations, reducing text and visuals to only what is necessary, and moving secondary and supportive information into online supplemental or supporting information. While moving text and visuals from the primary presentation to supporting information will not reduce the overall amount of material that a reviewer must work through, a crisper, more efficient presentation will increase the overall readability and enhance the reviewers' experience. More efficient presentations will, I believe, also improve the quality of reviews, as chances for misunderstanding a particular aspect of a study by a reviewer will be reduced. As we move forward, I hope to make the use of supporting information even more appealing to authors by working with Wiley to better incorporate supporting information with the primary text using interactive hyperlinks similar to that done currently for literature cited. We are still exploring what is possible, and I think it could be a valuable improvement to overall readability of the content of L&O. ED: THE JOURNAL HAD A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ITS IMPACT FACTOR THIS YEAR TO 4.325, A RECORD FOR THE JOURNAL ─ RECLAIMING THE NUMBER ONE RANKING IN LIMNOLOGY AND NUMBER THREE IN OCEANOGRAPHY. BUT THE PROLIFERATION OF SCIENCE JOURNALS AND, ALONG WITH THAT, THE COMPETITION TO ATTRACT AUTHORS AND THE MOST SEMINAL SCIENCE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE JOURNAL CONTINUES. WHY SHOULD L&O BE THE FIRST CHOICE OF AQUATIC SCIENCE AUTHORS? AND ARE THERE ANY TOPICAL AREAS YOU'D LIKE TO EXPAND IN THE JOURNAL? DH: In my lifetime as an ASLO member, L&O is, and has always been, the first choice for publishing one's research in the aquatic sciences. L&O's history is replete with incredibly impactful papers that have provided strong foundations for today's cutting-edge research. While our JIF has always landed L&O at the top of limnology and oceanography journals, L&O papers are among the highest cited papers around. In 2018, L&O papers were cited nearly 30,000 times. With the upcoming release of the 2019 journal citation reports, our total citation rate will approach half a million. Authors know that publishing in L&O provides high visibility for their research among their peers. As for expanding journal content, as I stated earlier, the purpose of redrafting the Aims and Scope of the journal was to clarify that L&O publishes research from all aspects of the sciences of limnology and oceanography, especially those based within the scientific philosophy of novel hypothesis-driven or observational research that contributes significantly to a broader understanding of aquatic sciences. As such, there really is not an area into which we wish to expand coverage. ED: L&O HAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL SPECIAL ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL, GENERATING A HIGH-LEVEL OF INTEREST BASED ON FULL-TEXT DOWNLOADS AND CITATIONS. TELL US ABOUT THE NEXT SPECIAL ISSUE IN DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ROLE THAT SPECIAL ISSUES PLAY IN THE JOURNAL. ARE YOU SEEKING OR SOLICITING IDEAS FOR FUTURE SPECIAL ISSUES, AND ARE THESE MARINE OR FRESHWATER FOCUSED? DH: Special issues have been with L&O for some time now. Historically, they tended to focus on “topics of the day” such as the Comparative Ecology of Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems issue in 1988, the Hydrologic Optics issue in 1989, the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms issue in 1997, the Effects of Multiple Stressors on Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems issue in 1999, the Eutrophication of Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems issue in 2006, the Lakes and Reservoirs as Sentinels, Integrators, and Regulators of Climate Change issue in 2009, the Methane Emissions from Oceans, Wetlands, and Freshwater Habitats: New Perspectives and Feedbacks on Climate issue in 2016, and the recent special issue, Long-term Perspectives in Aquatic Research that appeared last year (2019). We have also published various commemorative issues celebrating the careers of influential aquatic scientists, such as the Alfred C. Redfield 75th Anniversary supplement in in 1965, the G. Evelyn Hutchinson Celebratory Issue in 1971, and the W. T. Edmondson Celebratory Issue in 1988. Today, special issues continue to focus on topics of the day, but with an emphasis on emerging research for which authors may not necessarily consider L&O as the prime outlet. Take the latest special issue, Linking Metagenomics to Aquatic Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemical Cycles. The great majority of papers in that issue would likely have been submitted elsewhere, to journals with more of a metagenomics focus rather than an aquatic sciences focus. The difference is that genomics is now well established to the point that it has become a tool more than a research focus. As David Kirchman's editorial indicates, both freshwater and marine research programs are rapidly enhancing our understanding of the roles of microbial assemblages in the biogeochemical functioning of complex communities—strongly enabled by the adoption of omics methodologies into basic limnological and oceanographic research programs. The upcoming special issue, Arctic Aquatic Ecosystems in the 21st Century, scheduled for January 2021, is quite promising, focusing on the biogeochemistry and ecology of rapidly changing Arctic waters, due to climate change and subsequent thawing of permafrost, sea ice, and glaciers, which is affecting coupled freshwater-ocean ecosystems throughout the Arctic. Two of our associate editors, Peter Hernes and Ronnie Glud, will be joined by Suzanne Tank as Guest Editors, who together with Deputy EiC Marguerite Xenopoulos, will assemble what we expect to be an outstanding collection of primary research articles, reviews, and secondary and meta-analyses of cutting-edge and historical research across the Arctic. Generally, I believe that special issues offer great promise in promoting the adaptation of new technologies and novel research and systems, and also in highlighting foundational and inspirational research that provides a path forward for new discoveries. I encourage any among our membership to contact me at dhambright@ou.edu should they have a great idea for a future special issue. I would also like to take this opportunity to point out that we have assembled numerous virtual issues recently to draw renewed attention to previously published papers in L&O and ASLO's other journals (L&O: Letters, L&O: Methods, L&O Bulletin) which have played a prominent role in advancing understanding. Recent virtual issues, such as the L&O 60th Anniversary Special Collection, Large Lakes of the World, Station ALOHA of the Hawaii Ocean Time Series: 30th Anniversary Collection, and The Remote Sensing of Oceans, Estuaries, and Lakes, serve to highlight the historical role of ASLO journals in moving the understanding of aquatic sciences forward, while at the same time providing a foundation for future advancements. ED: YOU HAVE AN OUTSTANDING TEAM OF HIGHLY SKILLED AND PROMINENT ASSOCIATE EDITORS WORKING WITH YOU TO ENSURE THAT THE JOURNAL PUBLISHES THE BEST ARTICLES ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY. ARE YOU SEEKING NEW ASSOCIATE EDITORS AND REVIEWERS IN ANY PARTICULAR SPECIALTY AREAS? HOW SHOULD INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS CONTACT YOU IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING AS REVIEWERS OR ASSOCIATE EDITORS, OR IF THEY'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND OTHERS TO SERVE THE JOURNAL? DH: First, you are absolutely correct—L&O has an amazing group of associate editors who make my life much easier than it could be. Our associate editors are incredibly dedicated to ASLO and the journal and extremely protective of L&O's reputation—that is, publishing the highest quality research in the aquatic sciences, whether marine or freshwater. Second, associate editors are working hard and occasionally need a rest, so we are always looking for new, energetic, and dedicated associate editors to complement the editorial board. Moreover, with the exponential increase in the number of and use of modern, cutting-edge tools in aquatics, we are continually seeking associate editor expertise not only to deal with emerging subdisciplines, but to encourage and attract the best science in these newly emerging research programs. ED: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES, NOT JUST FOR L&O, BUT FOR ALL SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS? HOW IS THE JOURNAL POSITIONED TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES? DH: The largest challenge today is scientific relevancy. Journal numbers are growing almost as rapidly as the pool of aquatic science researchers and their interests and imaginations focused on solving some of the most critical issues facing the world, vis-à-vis aquatic sciences in the Anthropocene. The challenge remains attracting the best of the best research. Because L&O has a long tradition of excellence, we are well positioned to continue attracting and publishing the top research in limnology and oceanography. ED: ASLO DEVOTES CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES TO ENGAGING STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREER SCIENTISTS IN THE ASSOCIATION. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES IN ENGAGING INDIVIDUALS EARLY IN THEIR CAREERS IN THE JOURNAL, AND HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE THEIR PARTICIPATION AS AUTHORS AND REVIEWERS? WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO THEM AS AUTHORS HOPING TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL? DH: In keeping with the precedent set by Bob Howarth, I strive to maintain high age, gender, discipline, and geographic diversity on the L&O Editorial Board. Moreover, we have conducted student and ECR workshops at ASLO/OSM meetings and based on the strong positive feedback will endeavor to make these workshops permanent events at future ASLO meetings. ED: THANK YOU, DAVE.

In today's contentious political climate, scientists feel compelled to engage with policy makers more than ever before. With concerns from how federal and state regulations and budgets impact the when, where, and how of science getting done (i.e., policy for science) to the use of science to drive informed, evidence-based decisions (i.e., science for policy), scientists want, and are oftentimes sought out, to bring their voices and data to the table. Our mission at ASLO is to empower our members to inform policy from the local level all the way to the international level. The L&O Bulletin routinely highlights pertinent policy issues in aquatic sciences, success stories of members interfacing with policy makers, and resources available to the community. We have put together a Virtual Issue, Science Policy How-To's and Success Stories, featuring popular articles, viewpoints, and meeting highlights from the Bulletin that discuss current science policy topics and happenings. This online-only issue can be viewed at http://bit.ly/PolicyVI. In this Virtual Issue, you will find a variety of resources that scientists at every stage in their career can use to get involved in the policy sphere. “All Hands on Deck: Engaging in Science Policy in the New Political Climate,” provides a brief primer on science policy, with strategies, advice, and how-to's discussed by the president of the Union of Concerned Scientists Ken Kimmel. For students and early-career scientists, there are numerous internships and fellowships that embed you within a federal or legislative office to get first-hand experience in the day-to-day grunt work of policymaking. These types of experiences are indispensible not just to those interested in transitioning to a formal career in science policy, but also to those wishing to gain a more thorough understanding of how to use their science to inform legislators and to build a network of useful contacts. ASLO meetings and conferences also feature special sessions, panel discussions, and communication workshops to help scientists “get their feet wet” in these areas. Highlights from various meetings are showcased in this issue. Throughout the Virtual Issue, you will also find that one of the major ways to influence policy is to more actively engage with the public (also known as the constituents!) “Aquatic Science: Informing Policy, Management, and the Public,” makes a compelling case for an “ecosystem-based approach” to science policy, framing the public-scientist-lawmaker relationship as an interconnected web of feedbacks with no component existing or succeeding in isolation. The Virtual Issue also features case studies in specific areas where science and policy are currently intertwined and presents frameworks for how to use science to inform decisions. For example, in “Measuring Lotic Ecosystems Responses to Nutrients: A Mismatch that Limits the Synthesis and Application of Experimental Studies to Management,” the authors discuss a very topical science policy issue (limits on nitrogen and phosphorus input into freshwater systems in the United States) and point out areas where scientists can make small changes to more effectively inform decisions on setting quantitative nutrient limits. This scenario is a great illustration of how having a more open and constructive dialogue between scientists and policy makers could lead to a substantial improvement in evidence-based solutions. “Who Owns the Ocean? Policy Issues Surrounding Marine Genetic Resources,” highlights a relatively new policy topic that brings to the forefront scientists who may not typically view their science as policy-related. As gene sequencing and sampling technologies drastically improve, the question of ownership and benefit sharing of the vast wealth of genetic information collected from the oceans outside of national jurisdiction presents a pressing policy need. The article points out that scientist input to these issues is critical so that any future legal framework enacted will foster, rather than hinder, scientific research. Our science policy Virtual Issue also profiles various ASLO members who have or are currently actively engaged in science policy and advocacy, including members who have served on ASLO's Public Policy Committee. Within these profiles, you will see how scientists and educators at all levels of their career, in a diversity of disciplines (from microbiology to climate science), are bridging their research to policy on the front lines. These profiles are full of useful advice for having productive interactions with policy makers and suggestions for ways to get involved. ASLO is interested in hearing from its members who are currently involved in science policy and advocacy to tell their stories or suggest ways we can support these activities. To propose an idea or submit a piece to L&O Bulletin on a science-policy related topic, contact Adrienne Sponberg at sponberg@aslo.org.

Functional ecology: the evolution of an ecological journal

Founding <i>Limnology &amp; Oceanography Letters</i>: The challenges, risks, and rewards of launching a new scientific journal

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Message from the President: First Message to Members with Some Thoughts on Graduate Student and Early Career Scientist Professional Development

Peer Reviewed

Filling gaps in our understanding of belowground plant traits across the world: an introduction to a Virtual Issue.

As early-career professionals (ECPs) navigate their education and professional development in the aquatic sciences, many seek to build a network to help guide their entrance into the field. As influential organizations, scientific societies play a vital role through hosted conferences, where ECPs can meet and share ideas with others, and find mentors to facilitate their colleagues’ journey within the profession. However, not all ECPs are the same, and those from marginalized backgrounds face unique challenges. Here, we provide a perspective on ways scientific societies can ensure all members are provided with equitable opportunity to discover, access, and build career-defining networks at conference events, including the critical role of mentors in navigating obstacles to success. Our recommendations originate from an early-career networking workshop in 2022 at a Canadian fisheries and aquatic sciences conference. The day-long hybrid event comprised interactive activities and discussions on how societies and their conferences can foster and promote inclusive networking for all, including suggestions on maximizing inclusivity for online attendees. This perspective serves as a call to action for scientific societies and senior-career professionals to meaningfully engage with ECPs and marginalized members to promote transformative science.

Introducing the American Journal of Surgery Virtual Research Mentor: A primer for aspiring surgeon-scientists

How the Biochemical Society and Portland Press are engaging with and supporting early career researchers

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists is an international organization with membership representing 70 countries. Members are mostly graduate students and post-docs, though 29% are early career professionals in other polar-related career tracks. A survey was sent in summer 2019 to APECS members and polar science community members asking about travel support needs and how respondents&amp;amp;#8217; recent travel was funded. Participants described the perceived availability of different types and sources of travel funding. Availability of travel awards and the expectation that early career researchers would pay for their meeting-related travel out of personal funds varies widely between countries, career stage and indigenous status. Substantially higher travel support is often needed to support participants from countries outside the US, Canada, and Northern Europe because of both the higher cost of traveling to typical meeting destinations coupled with lower availability of supplemental or full travel support. This presentation will cover the international patterns in early career travel funding, the utility of travel advances and the importance of making funding decisions eaerly enough for ECRs as a way to promote diversity in polar sciences.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

A transatlantic cooperation for enriched neuroscience training.

ERPIC aims to provide opportunities for emerging researchers and professionals to network, collaborate and engage in peer-to-peer relationships and mentorships, with the aim of advancing the field of integrated and person-centred care, which can improve patient outcomes, experiences of care, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of care delivery and health systems, and the satisfaction of healthcare workforce. The next generation of students, academics, researchers and practitioners is essential in shaping tomorrow’s healthcare systems. Since the establishment of ERPIC in 2018, the network has mobilized about 500 followers, working and studying in about 33 countries worldwide and promoted opportunities to engage these early researchers and professionals in the field of integrated care. Aligned with its mission, ERPIC needs to be in continuous movement and adaptive to its members’ needs. During ICIC22, ERPIC initiated a process of continuous improvement by exploring the needs of emerging researchers and professionals. Building on the knowledge generated from the workshop at ICIC22, the ERPIC Executive team now wants to find out whether these needs are still relevant and how we, together, can take the next step in the desire to put the needs into action. Accordingly, this workshop aims to provide an opportunity for conference delegates to contribute to the future plans and activities of ERPIC and network with peers. The aims of this interactive workshop activity are to: - Meet and connect with other early career researchers and professionals in integrated care - Practice networking - Share ideas about the future of ERPIC - Get involved in designing future activities of ERPIC This workshop is designed for current ERPIC-network followers and emerging researchers and professionals in the integrated care field interested in joining a supportive network. Senior members of IFIC, professionals in the field of integrated care and participants of ICIC23 who are interested in meeting ERPIC-members are welcome to participate. Workshop hosts: Sebastian Lindblom, Mark Derks, Paul Wankah The workshop starts with a 5 min introduction, preparation and information about the workshop. This will be followed by a 10 min presentation on the result of our exploration of the expressed needs of our EPRIC members. Participants will be divided into groups and have the opportunity to get to know each other and familiarize themselves during a 30 min network session. This will be followed by a 30 min co-creative session where each group will brainstorm about early career researchers and professionals’ needs and how they can be addressed. Together, the group will develop concrete suggestions for activities and a plan to realize them. The session finishes with a 15-minute group presentation and summary. Learnings/Takeaway: Participants will: - Create new contacts and start building/expanding a network - Get insights on early career researchers and professionals’ needs and activities - Gain an understanding of ERPIC and its mission - Have the opportunity to influence the future direction and activities of ERPIC The results and findings from the workshop will be summarized in a short report and disseminated to the network.

A total of 447 dissertation abstracts were received for the DIALOG V Program, with 146 individuals applying for the DIALOG V Symposium; 47 were invited and 45 have accepted. This represents a significant increase compared to the DIALOG IV Program in which 221 abstracts were registered and 124 applied for the symposium. The importance of the dissertation registration service is indicated by the increasing number of individuals who take time to register their dissertation even when they are not interested in applying to the symposium. The number of visits to the webpage has also increased significantly over the years. This also reflects graduate interest in being part of the on-line Dissertation Registry and receiving the weekly electronic DIALOG Newsletter. See http://aslo.org/phd.html for details. The DIALOG symposium reaches approximately 40 new PI's at a pivotal point in their research careers. Based on their comments, the symposium changes the way participants think, communicate, and approach their research. The science community and the general population will benefit from the perspectives these new PI's bring back to their home institutions and share with their students and colleagues. This group should act as a catalyst to move the entire field in exciting new, interdisciplinary directions. To reach more graduates, plans are underway to establish the symposium on an annual basis. By facilitating the development of close collegial ties, symposium participants come away with a network of colleagues from around the globe with interests in aquatic science research and education. Past participants are collaborating on research proposals, and all have noted that participation has enabled them to develop a more interdisciplinary view of their field, influencing the way they interpret, communicate, and approacli their research. The dissertation registry provides a unique introduction to the work of this most recent generation of aquatic scientists. Each year increasing numbers of graduates take advantage of the opportunity to be part of this international collection, and more scientists, employers and administrators use this resource to identify recent graduates and get an overview of their work. Dissertation abstracts are submitted on line and immediately posted on the ASLO web site in a format that can be searched by year, name, and key words (www.aslo.org/phd.html). In addition to the recognition, program participants receive a compilation of abstracts, a directory, and a demographic profile of their cohort. An electronic distribution list keeps recent grads informed about job opportunities, resources, recent advances across the aquatic sciences, and-other research and professional news. Finally, the interdisciplinary symposium offers a unique opportunity for grads to get to know each other and share common experiences, and address the challenges and opportunities facing new professionals. The DIALOG Program is a long-term investment in human resources and science infrastructure. The most interesting and important questions in aquatic and other sciences are increasingly interdisciplinary and this program brings together scientists from across the full spectrum of biologically relevant aquatic science. The DIALOG database will become increasingly useful as more graduates participate. While the full impact of the program will probably not be realized for many years, there have already been many tangible results. Several interdisciplinary (including some international) research collaborations have been started; an international student exchange program has been set up at two institutions; several workshops and meeting sessions have been organized; and the entire group continues to communicate about research, education, and science policy issues via an electronic distribution list. The goal of the DIALOG symposium is to foster cross-disciplinary and international understanding and interactions at an early career stage, so that interdisciplinary perspectives and collegial relationships can build over a full professional lifetime. Participants come from a variety of institutions, including some of the most innovative and productive aquatic research programs in the world. The international mix provides valuable insight into the research strengths and concerns in different parts of the globe. Unlike so many professional conferences where multiple concurrent sessions force us to attend narrow sessions on select topics, the DIALOG symposium affords the lUXury of listening without distraction to a diverse array of topics, to look for relationships and develop a broader context for their work.