LLCS Volume 2 Issue 3, Editorial

Abstract

The second conference of the Society for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (SLLS) took place in Bielefeld, Germany, from 25-28th September 2011, attracting 209 Longitudinal and Life Course researchers from 20 countries across every continent, and was of much historical significance for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (LLCS). At the Society’s AGM, it was agreed that following the end of development funding from the Nuffield Foundation, by the end of September, SLLS should take over responsibility for running LLCS. This change signals exciting opportunities for the journal, offering a communication and dissemination platform for the research projects and programmes in which the society’s members are engaged. The Society’s annual conference and growing programme of associated activities are where the publication outcomes crystallize in the form of individual presentations and symposia devoted to particular topics ensuring a steady flow of papers, including special Issues, for the journal. A journal’s reputation, on which indexing and impact ratings are judged, is critically dependent on the more senior and well-known readers using the journal as the outlet for their own work, as well as advising their more junior colleagues to select it as the publication outlet of choice. As we know, career advancement, not to mention research funding, follow in the wake of indexation and impact ratings for the journals in which researchers publish. The vitally needed funding for ‘payment to publish’ in Open Access journals can also rely on it. This is why LLCS needs the help of everybody engaged in longitudinal and life course study by making sure their next paper or proposal for a symposium-based Special Journal Issue goes to LLCS! The development of the Society, (with membership now over 240 and just below 1000 registered readers of the journal) is a central part of the strategy for assuring the journal’s future. We have set a target of 100 additional SLLS members per annum, to achieve a membership of over 600 by 2015. Safeguarding the journal’s future, while holding onto, as far we are able, the principle of world-wide Open Access, now lies in the Society’s hands. So please join the Society if you have yet to do so, and persuade at least one other colleague to become a member with you – go to:www.longstudies.longviewuk.com/pages/members hip.shtml Corporate membership brings special benefits so please get your institution to apply for it and advantage more of your colleagues, including a reduced annual conference fee – also remind them to advertise in the journal. The society’s bimonthly Newsletter (restricted to members), which replaces the journal’s original section News, Events and Resources, will supply more up-to-date information of much interest to journal readers.