Engaging with early career researchers (ECRs) is a pivotal step in shaping the future of research and academia. These individuals bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a drive to make meaningful contributions to their fields. As they navigate the early stages of their careers, journals play a crucial role in their professional development. Involving ECRs in journal activities—whether through peer review, editorial roles, or mentorship—benefits not only the researchers but also the scholarly community by fostering diversity, inclusion, and cutting-edge insights. This blog outlines practical strategies for journals and senior academics to collaborate with ECRs, ensuring mutual growth, impactful research, and strengthened academic networks.
Junior/Emerging Editorial Board
Establishing a Junior or Emerging Editorial Board is an excellent way to involve early career researchers (ECRs) in journal activities, fostering diversity and inclusion while addressing challenges such as geographic and gender disparities. These boards offer ECRs valuable professional experience and provide journals with fresh perspectives and expanded networks. The editorial board’s specific composition and responsibilities vary according to the structure and needs of the journal, but board members can make an active contribution as reviewers, ambassadors, advisors, and authors.
Key Benefits for the Journal
- Expanded Reviewer Pool: ECR board members can conduct peer reviews and recommend reliable reviewers, alleviating reviewer selection challenges.
- Increased Diversity: Emerging boards help broaden representation across regions, disciplines, and genders, addressing gaps in traditional editorial boards.
- Enhanced Outreach: Junior board members serve as ambassadors, promoting the journal to potential authors and readers, and soliciting submissions from various, especially underrepresented, communities.
- Fresh Insights: ECRs bring innovative ideas and feedback on whether the journal meets the needs of the academic community.
Key Benefits for ECRs
- Skill Development: Participation builds expertise in peer review, manuscript evaluation, and academic publishing processes.
- Professional Exposure: ECRs gain visibility in their fields, connect with senior researchers, and expand their networks.
- Career Advancement: Being part of an editorial board strengthens an ECR’s academic CV, showcasing their commitment to the scholarly community.
- Opportunities for Collaboration: Working with peers and senior board members fosters interdisciplinary research and joint projects.
Junior editorial boards are particularly effective at addressing geographic and gender disparities by including researchers from regions or demographics underrepresented on senior boards. The board offers mentorship and leadership opportunities that pave the way for broader inclusion in senior roles. Ensuring diverse voices contribute to decision-making, enriching the journal's content and relevance. By empowering ECRs through junior editorial boards, journals not only support emerging talent but also strengthen their own foundations for long-term innovation and growth.
Editorial Fellowships are another great way to get involved in a more specific role with the Journal. Some fellowships will focus on one aspect of the publishing or promotional process, for instance on social media. Other fellowships provide support with manuscript flow during the peer review process, for example checking completeness of manuscripts upon submission for key elements.
This article is part 2/3 of this month's blog post about journal management. Read the first part here. Read the third part here.
