Copy - Introduction to Topic Editors

In this lesson, you’ll learn about the role of a Topic Editor and how you, a Specialist, can support them

‹#›

Explain a Topic Editor's role in managing an RT.

List the seniority requirements for a Topic Editor.

Clarify a Topic Editor's duty in leading an RT.

Describe a Topic Editor's responsibility in defining an RT.

Learning objectives

If you would like clarification on anything covered in this section, write down your question(s) and address them during meetings with your buddy/mentor.

‹#›

Selecting Topic Editors

Assessing the seniority of a Topic Editor will be an important part of your role as a Journal Specialist. The requirements for a Topic Editor's seniority vary by journal so you should work closely with your Journal Manager to understand what it looks like in your field.

Importance of Topic Editor Seniority

Seniority Requirements

Here are important criteria to keep in mind:

All Topic Editors should have a doctorate and several years of experience as a researcher and in an editorial capacity in the field of the RT. There may be some exceptions to this, but they will need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. At least one person in the Editorial Team should be a senior researcher.

There must always be at least two topic editors working on an RT. Note that each journal has its own requirements and some require a minimum of three TEs with a maximum of five.

Defining a Research Topic

The first responsibility of the Topic Editor is to define their scope and produce a proposal to be evaluated by the Specialty Chief Editor. When communicating with researchers regarding the project it’s imperative to make clear that they must submit a RT proposal which will be evaluated by the Specialty Chief Editor.

What does it mean to define a RT?

The PubDev department supports the topic editor to produce a presentable, readable, and standardized proposal that’s easy for the specialty chief editor to evaluate. The chief editor reviews it, using their criteria to evaluate if the proposal can be accepted or not or if it needs revisions. The scope must also be unique enough compared to other RTs on the topic.

What does it mean to define a RT?

A list of potential authors who the topic editor thinks may be interested in submitting a manuscript for the RT.

A defined scope for the RT including a short title, and a short description of the RT.

A confirmed group of two to five co-topic editors.

There are 3 requirements for Topic Editors when proposing a RT

Proposing a Research Topic

Managing a Research Topic

Uses the Frontiers RT management platform to stay up-to-date and manage their topic.

If required, evaluates suggestions for managing abstract and manuscript submissions that the PubDev department identifies.

Sends a call for participation (CfP) to potential contributors who might be interested in submitting an article for the RT during the Launch Call.

If the proposal is accepted by the specialty chief editor (SCE), then it will be published online. From here, the topic editor:

Managing a Research Topic

Have the opportunity to write an editorial for the RT.

.Ensure that the articles are high quality and fall within the agreed scope, eventually taking the editorial decision to accept the submitted article or recommend rejection

Lead and oversees the peer review process.

For a topic editor, the majority of the work revolves around the abstracts and manuscripts submitted to the Research Topic. Generally, they will:

Topic editor's responsibilities

Your Role

The main goal of the PubDev department is to successfully launch a specific number of RTs per year. A big part of your role as an EdDev Specialist is to ensure that a sufficient number of proposals are submitted to the specialty chief editor for evaluation. EdDev Specialists support TEs by being their point of contact, submitting the proposal for the TE, and touching base with them throughout the topic. For this to happen successfully, it's important to meet 3 responsibilities.

How Editorial Development Specialists support topic editors

Ensure that the Topic Editor has a clear timeframe to work with and knows exactly what is expected of them.

Time

Critique the proposal to ensure that the content submitted to the Chief Editor meets the scope of the section and is sufficiently presentable, readable and standardized for evaluation purposes.

Scope

Check that the proposal adheres to the RT Quality Guidelines before sending it to the Chief Editor.

Quality

Take a moment to share some of the TE requirements for your journal. Use the comment section to explain. As we collect comments, other new starters will be able to see how different each journal's requirements are, and identify requirements relevant to your role.

Feel free to share in the comments or respond to someone else.

Share your thoughts