The world of scientific publishing is a triangle—those who write, those who read, and the publishers that make it all possible (set aside that writers are almost always readers, too—it just gives credence to the old saw—the world is made up of three sorts of people: those who can count and those who can’t!). Authors want other people to be aware of their work, especially if it has practical value, although authors are also mindful of the “publish or perish” paradigm. Practitioners and other researchers need to be aware of the “state-of-the-art.” Publishers are members of a profession with a long and honorable tradition of connecting author and reader (while making a living—perfectly reasonable). All three groups benefit from the publication of high-quality articles of interest to the widest audience.
The role of commissioning editor
I have accepted the position of “Commissioning Editor” for the JOEH in the hope that I can assist with this goal. It is my task to identify and encourage authors to contribute articles that will be impactful to the field of occupational hygiene that will be widely appreciated by our broad readership. I have developed a plan—in addition to papers that describe the results of groundbreaking laboratory and field research.
I am also looking for articles that:
Describe the major emphasis programs of our governmental agencies involved in workplace and environmental health, hygiene, and safety, together with their impacts and visions for the future;
Review the current best practices and needed research to ensure health, hygiene, and safety in developing industries, including nanotechnology, cannabis, and alternative energy;
Cover the health, hygiene, and safety issues of our most precious professions—those who keep us safe, including firefighters, medical professionals, police, and military;
Address specific topics of importance in our profession—biomonitoring, retrospective exposure assessment, air quality sensors, electromagnetic fields, welding fume, noise, ergonomics, and bioaerosols, including viruses; and
Document experience in compliance with new standards, including silica and beryllium, and articles that address the role of health, hygiene, and safety in litigation.
Commissioned articles and complimentary open access
Commissioned articles can be written as Technical Manuscripts or Reviews. I will work closely with the Editor-in-Chief and Taylor & Francis to track commissions from invitation to publication in as expedited a manner as possible, keeping in mind that commissioned articles are subject to standard editorial scrutiny and scientific peer review.
The JOEH, LLC has agreed to grant complimentary Open Access to commissioned articles, which will mean these are open to the public and have the potential to be read widely. Our publisher and professional organizations will publicize these articles through their respective marketing strategies, with attempts to increase the article readership and educate the public on relevant information from our field. Look forward to our monthly “Commissioned Articles” in 2021.
Some of you reading this will already suspect I shall be contacting them, so sharpen your pens! I look forward to being of service to the JOEH and the profession it serves.
Courtesy Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA