Hi, I’m Stephanie Shroot, and I work as a Special Collections Commissioning Editor at Sage. My core role involves commissioning standout articles that blend academic depth with wide-reaching impact, all tied to the themes of our collections. I like to think of myself as a matchmaker between strong research and an engaged audience, and behind every decision is a mix of data, intuition, and genuine excitement for the work researchers are doing.
Join me as I lay out a time-stamped day that highlights how multifaceted my role is, from data to connections. I hope to showcase the thinking, creativity and collaboration behind what I do.
9:30 AM: Inbox vs Coffee
The day begins with the age-old dilemma: check my emails or make coffee first. I opt for both, a tactical choice. As the inbox loads, I scan for updates from researchers I’ve been connecting with, data from my latest outreach strategy, and the occasional GIF from a teammate.
10:30 AM: Scouting the Horizon
This hour is golden: time to dig into research trends and the latest hot topics. My eyes are peeled for newly published articles, emerging voices, and areas where we can drive new Special Collections. It is important to me to support underrepresented research topics, making sure to understand where scholarship is headed so we can meet researchers there or even better, create a space for them.
11:30 AM: Outreach Deep Dive
Time to put my latest insights to good use. I evaluate which strategy performed best in my last outreaches. Subject lines? Timing? Topic fit? It’s a mix of data and intuition. Then I draft new templates that are more personalized and better reflect my mission. I’m aiming for a thoughtful, engaging, and clear message to open up a fresh and exciting dialogue.
12:30 PM: Newsletters & Nurturing Networks
Time to brainstorm the next Guest Editor newsletter with our Marketing Communications Manager. We bounce around ideas for spotlights, tips for writing successful proposals, and try to work out which parts of our previous versions have had the best engagement (jury’s still out). Our goal is to create a dynamic, supportive research community and value Guest Editors contributions to our journals.
1:00 PM: Lunch with a Side of LinkedIn Scouring
After eating, I’m skimming conference lineups and scrolling my feed for interesting updates from my network - this is often how I generate new ideas for Special Collections or search for suitable Guest Editors for my proposals. Spotting researchers early means we can build relationships before they’re inundated by 10 other journals. I may even decide to drop a post myself with our personalized social media images created by our marketing team (if you are reading this, I’d love to connect!).
2:00 PM: Bringing Research to (Virtual) Life
A key part of my role has been organizing webinars free of charge for our Guest Editors to showcase their collection, introduce the subject to potential authors, and provide an insightful overview of the current state of the literature. Our webinars have been crucial to creating journal communities and have also served as a springboard for launching spin-out collections.
3:00 PM: Meeting with Potential Guest Editors
On the agenda: we discuss their latest work, and I run through guidance on the process. It’s collaborative and thoughtful, and we focus on choosing a Special Collection topic suited to their research. My role here is part editor, part cheerleader, part translator - helping their expertise connect with the right platform and audience.
4:00 PM: Team Huddle
The Commissioning Team is a powerhouse! Everyone’s got ideas, insights, and the occasional pet photo to share. We talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how we can keep improving the author and Guest Editor experience. These moments remind me we’re not just chasing metrics; we’re building relationships. I am grateful to be a part of such an incredible team.
5:00 PM: Rounding Up the Day and Signing Off
Before logging off, I jot down a few ideas: a theme for a new call-for-papers, a competitor’s collection that caught my eye, and some updates I need to share with the team on a data project I am working on. Tomorrow’s schedule already has a brainstorming meeting with a Managing Editor, a call with an Editor in Chief, and some time blocked for tidying up my inbox.
5:30 PM: Reset for the Next Day
The truth is, no two days are the same - some packed with meetings, others with emails, or maybe even a citation rabbit hole. But every day as a Commissioning Editor blends curiosity, strategy, and connections. Behind every article or Special Collection is a web of conversations, ideas, and shared purpose. And that’s what makes it all worth it.
