Fond Farewells and Warm Welcomes: The Editor, British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Upma has been a highly talented Editor of the journal who, on retirement, leaves us with 30 years’ worth of publications, a canon of work that represents a wonderful legacy. We wish her a very relaxing and enjoyable retirement. The journal continues to remain in capable hands. We are very fortunate to have appointed Dr Katharine Norman to work with our very able Editorial Assistant, Dr Justine Williams. Katharine joins us from the Public Library of Science (PLOS) where she was editorial manager of PLOS Biology, a high-profile online Science, Technology and Medicine (STM) journal. We look forward to benefitting from her great deal of experience in academic journal publishing. Welcome, Katharine! Upma Barnett became Editor of the British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) in 1983. She was educated in both Singapore and London and graduated with a BA in English, History and Philosophy. Before joining the staff of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) she was senior copy editor for the British Journal of Hospital Medicine (BJHM). Over her 30 years as Editor of the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, Upma worked with 12 Chairmen of the Editorial Board, and saw the profession and the journal go through many changes: during this time occupational therapy pre-registration education in the United Kingdom moved from diploma to degree level and the journal itself moved from paper submissions to an online system for manuscript management and peer review. Upma’s capacity for hard work was well known; she rarely took holidays and was usually the last to leave the building. She made time to discuss the final manuscript with every single author. We know this offered authors the privilege of a level of personal attention unparalleled in the world of academic publishing. In the Silver Jubilee year of 1999, at the College of Occupational Therapists’ annual conference at Liverpool John Moores University, Upma was awarded an Honorary Fellowship for exceptional support to the College. The strength of appreciation in the hall was demonstrated by a standing ovation. Fond farewells and warm welcomes: the Editor, British Journal of Occupational Therapy