I spent the last two days going over the program of the AWRA Spring Specialty Conference on GIS, looking over the abstracts of the talks and posters, and emailing authors of those showing potential as a JAWRA paper. It’s not an exact science, so please don’t be offended if I didn’t email you. I’ll be in New Orleans this March to learn more.
Spent Friday and Saturday at the AWRA winter board meeting. One topic we discussed was where JAWRA is heading in terms of technology. So, I’ll share some of the discussion with you.
No, the paper copy is not going away! Not yet, anyway. You need to recognize, however, the online version – the version of record since 2007 – already offers features you don’t get in paper. Online readers often see color figures instead of black and white, and can access supplemental files containing data and more detailed explanations. We’re going to push the envelope a step further in 2012 to support the GIS Specialty Conference: online video, large maps, and computer code.
Recognizing some of our readers don’t even want the paper copy, AWRA will be offering a special “introductory” rate for online-only membership. You’ll get all of the content, none of the dead trees. Eventually, the paper version will become a “premium” offering for those who still want limited content delivered this way. No price schedule or time frame yet, but stay tuned to the AWRA website.
What does the slightly more distant future hold? Wiley-Blackwell already is hinting at journal apps under development. Going this direction would do away with inelegant supplemental files and embed the functionality directly into the articles. There really is no print equivalent for this type of presentation. Even the venerable old two-column format might be replaced by something more suited to your particular reading device. Remarkably, the same technology might still be able to offer two-column formatting on the fly for print-on-demand. We’re not there yet, and don’t hold me to these claims, but this stuff is coming close enough to think about.
What will not change? That’s easy: Quality! Even if a future review process requires looking at a video, rest assured that video will face the same careful scrutiny the text gets now. You deserve the best and will get the best.
It’s tempting to think the information technology we grew up with has been around forever. But, change actually as been the rule, not the exception. Think of postcards, records, black-and-white TV, VCR’s, 8-track tapes, and Captain Kirk’s communicator. Four centuries ago, some monk probably sat in a monastery and said, “You know, this moveable type just doesn’t look as good as the old handwritten scrolls. It’ll never catch on.”
Ray Herrmann
Under the deliberately vague title, Associate Editor for Watershed Processes and Management, Ray Herrmann has served for many years as my go-to person when I’d open a submitted manuscript and think, “Who the heck do I assign this one to?” He’s that renaissance man who can deal with a multitude of subjects. Though I don’t use him often, more than once I’ve been glad he’s been there. Now, Ray has decided it’s time to retire.
I don’t think I’m going to backfill this AE slot because (1) there’s nobody quite like Ray, and (2) he’s generously offered to help out if I get stuck. Please join me in wishing Ray the best as he rides off into the Rocky Mountain sunset.
JAWRA Associate Editors (AE’s) serve as primary advisors to the JAWRA Editor. Responsibilities fall into two areas: reviews and subject development. The Water Quality Monitoring position handles between 15 and 20 papers per year. All manuscripts are handled through our ScholarOne Manuscripts™system, with the AE selecting reviewers and, when reviews return, making a recommendation to the Editor. AE’s are encouraged to seek out qualified authors in their subject areas and encourage them to submit papers to JAWRA. These could be individual submittals or as featured collections of related papers organized around an introduction.
The AE for Water Quality Monitoring sees a lot of interesting and sometimes controversial manuscripts. As mentioned in an earlier posting, Joe Delfino would like to help his replacement (such as Joe can be replaced!) ease into the position. So, the new AE will get a real running start on his or her responsibilities!
Associate editorship is a volunteer position earning our heartfelt thanks and an invitation to our annual AE luncheon. It also offers the opportunity to make a difference on the cutting edge of multidisciplinary water resources. The term of an AE is three years, but may be extended by mutual agreement.
Interested individuals should email the Editor at editor@awra.org. We are happy to answer any questions. We will hold this position open at a minimum until January 31, (update) February 29, 2012, but early application is encouraged.
Joe Delfino
Associate Editor for Water Quality Monitoring Joe Delfino has served JAWRA for what seems like ages. AWRA recognized his accomplishments last year by conferring the honor of AWRA Fellow. What more can I say? Joe has been one of my most valued confidants in editing JAWRA. A large proportion of our articles are much the better for his input.
Joe and I talked in Albuquerque at last month’s Annual Conference. Joe indicated he is thinking about retirement and would like to wind down his involvement with JAWRA. Typical of Joe’s commitment, he’d like to help a replacement ease into the job. So, please watch for an announcement which will appear shortly.
Thank you, Joe, for all you have done. And, you’re not off the hook yet!
This weekend, December 3-4, 2011, the Wiley Online Library will be pushing through a new release, and it will cause temporary interruptions in access to JAWRA. There will be a message posted on the website. We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you’ve wondered why this blog has been a little quieter than usual, this photo explains why. I have been out in Oak Park, Illinois with James, our first grandchild. James was born November 7th, and is a delight. Just had to brag!
I can work on the road, but there are a lot of distractions. I’m back home now. A whole bunch of stuff has accumulated in my queue, which I will deal with starting tomorrow.
So far, I’ve sent out over 60 emails encouraging presenters of talks or posters to consider developing them into JAWRA papers. I personally reviewed all the posters and sat in on many of the talks. For others, since I couldn’t be everywhere at once, I conferred with an Associate Editor or others who attended. Only as a last resort did I simply invite a promising title. I’m even looking into a Featured Collection on one topic. The Associate Editors and I will be contacting additional potential authors in the future.
Don’t feel bad if we didn’t contact you! Not all interesting talks lend themselves to JAWRA papers. Many are very critical for practitioners but are not candidates for a research journal. Similarly, panel discussions often give up-to-date insights into agency procedures or regulations but do not provide materials for JAWRA.
If you think we inadvertently passed over inviting a potential paper, please still feel free to submit it via our ScholarOne Manuscripts system.
AWRA held a great annual conference. There were lots of fantastic talks and posters. The Associate Editors and I will be contacting many of the authors, to scout out potential JAWRA papers.
It’s always hard to get together in person, but the Associate Editors’ Luncheon was well attended. Brian Caruso came all the way from New Zealand. Steve Preston, Joe Delfino, and Venki Uddameri also made it, along with AWRA’s current and future Presidents. An airline delay caused Linda Prokopy to miss the luncheon, but we met her later; she gave some great presentations.
Just so you know, I will be at the AWRA 2011 Annual Water Resources Conference in Albuquerque, November 7-10. If you haven’t already made your reservations, there’s still time. It promises to be a great meeting.
I’ll be the one walking around with the “JAWRA Editor” ribbon.