Training the Next Generation of Journal Contributors: A Case Study at Environmental Health Perspectives

Abstract

Many scientific societies sponsor programs that help early career researchers (ECRs) establish themselves in their fields. Journals, too, are involving ECRs in both ad hoc and routine operations, to provide members of the next generation of scientists with working knowledge of how scientific manuscripts traverse the gauntlet from editorial evaluation through peer review and publication. With this article, Science Editor launches a new series focusing on ECRs in scientific publishing. The series begins with a case study of the ECR Initiative1 at Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a leading journal in the fields of environmental health sciences including toxicology, environmental epidemiology, and exposure science. The EHP editorial team hopes that sharing their experience will benefit other journals, publishers, and organizations implementing or exploring similar programs. The team also hopes to encourage open conversations about challenges faced, participant experiences, and best practices for recruiting and engaging participants. EHP, which is published with the support of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS; part of the National Institutes of Health), launched its ECR Initiative mid-pandemic, in the spring of 2021. To build a team dedicated to developing, maintaining, and leading ECR-focused activities, as one of its first steps, EHP engaged an advisory panel of ECRs in the environmental health sciences. EHP defines ECRs as graduate students or researchers having fewer than 3–5 years of professional experience since their terminal degree or postdoctoral training. This definition allows individuals with a variety of career paths to self-identify as ECRs. Candidates for the advisory panel […]