With the publication of this volume of the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences (AJFS), the Journal moves to the Taylor and Francis (T&F) group. T&F are one of the largest publishers of journals worldwide, with over 900,000 journal pages published in 2006. T&F publish over 50 Australian journals and have a very proactive group based in Melbourne supporting their Australian editors and societies. In a recent meeting of T&F journal editors in Canberra, the UK Managing Director commented on the Australian office being a model for overseas T&F offices. The aim of T&F will be to work with the Academy, through its Editor, to promote the Journal and grow its subscriber base, whilst ensuring that Academy members continue to receive the Journal at a reasonable subscription rate.
The world of journal publishing is becoming increasingly complex with electronic access to journal content being demanded by subscribers, but with a need to manage this to protect the publisher and the Academy. It may seem an obvious reality, but perhaps not fully appreciated by all, that journals cost money to print and these costs have to be recuperated. T&F are conscious of the rapidly changing way in which people access information, and are at the industry forefront in ensuring electronic access whilst also ensuring T&F, and the Academy, receive proper economic return. Put in very simple terms, the long-term health of our Journal requires an economically sustainable future.
Joining T&F offers an exciting future for the AJFS with huge potential for our Journal to become one of the six or so serious international forensic journals. A sound business platform will of course mean little if the Journal does not attract quality papers. In previous editorials I have commented on the Journal belonging to the members, and how important it is that they contribute papers. However, no journal can hope to survive, far less develop, based on only member submissions. The Journal is in a competition for content with an increasing number of similar journals.
As Editor the future challenge will be to preserve the traditional ‘feel’ of our Journal, whilst evolving the content to become a truly Australian forensic journal with a regional focus. Key components for academic writers, in deciding to which journal they should submit their paper, are factors such as ‘peer review’ and ‘citation indices’. The two rely on each other as citation indices only cite referred journals! Our Journal has relied on a ‘light’ referee policy for submitted papers. In future, submitted papers will be subject to blind review by at least two referees. Review-type papers will also be encouraged, and commissioned, as these will be of value to our broader readership and, of course, plenary presentations will continue to be published. It is also intended to introduce an ‘early career’ publication section for people preparing their first, or early, papers and to encourage Australian researchers to submit to the AJFS and showcase their work. Future editions will include papers from significant Australian and regional meetings.
I believe the move to T&F offers the Academy the best chance to develop our Journal, and to enhance its relevance and contribution to the forensic sciences. In order to realise these opportunities it is vital you embrace your Journal and make the choice to submit quality material for consideration.
The Journal has been in existence for nearly 29 years. It has come through times good and not so good, and it would not have survived without the contributions of, in particular, Oscar Schmalzbach and David Bell, as long time Editors, nor without John Rowe who has distributed the Journal for the last nine years. The Academy formally expresses its gratitude to all those involved in the production of the Journal since its inception in 1968.
With the support of our members the Journal will continue to evolve and develop to be an intellectual driver for the forensic sciences in our part of the world.
James Robertson
Editor