New Vision and Mission for the Annals of the ESA

Abstract

Science is not performed alone. An activity can be performed alone, but methods and results must be evaluated by others and shared. Furthermore, groups of scientists band together and form a discipline because of the social value to the scientists. Entomologists share jargon, ways of communicating, fundraising, and expectations about what is good and valuable. Those in entomology realize that participating in the discipline brings philosophical and administrative support, funding, and recognition. However, managing the communication channels and evaluation processes that are fundamental to any science is neither simple nor free of conflict. This journal is part of the Entomological Society of America’s effort to serve all of its members and be involved in entomology globally. The Annals of the ESA will help maximize knowledge sharing. These goals are more fully described in the Society’s recently adopted strategic plan. The newly adopted Vision and Mission statements for the Annals of the ESA are shown below. What is taken as a given, and therefore not stated, is that the editors will maintain the high standards that we have used to evaluate manuscripts. What is clear from the statements is our belief that science is more than research and that the health of the discipline depends on more than exploring the truth about nature. The Annals of the ESA will continue its long history of publishing important papers about research across the spectrum from alpha taxonomy to genomics or from basic ecology to IPM. However, we also believe that we must serve entomologists who are on the frontlines engaging with society including with administrators, politicians, farmers, regulators, and children. Entomologists will only have a valuable discipline if society, legislators, funding agencies, and educational institutions believe that we are useful as a group.