This is my last editorial, as responsibility is handed to Dr Caroline Erolin for Volume 41 and beyond.
In past issues I have commented on the changing political landscape, the diverse skills within our niche profession, and the journal’s aims and scope. I have also allowed a platform here for others to write a guest editorial such as The IMI chairperson and long-time contributors to this journal. I have commented on our profession filtering into daily life such as through programmes like Channel Four's ‘Embarrassing Bodies’ and the inclusion of imagery on cigarette packets.
For this issue, however, I just want to take the opportunity to champion this publication from the privileged position I have had as editorial board member since 2005 (first as reports editor and then as chief editor). The journal is produced because of IMI support both institutional and via the membership, it is curated by dedicated professionals and the content is provided by outstanding students and qualified practitioners from around the world.
It is the platform for reflection and to promote sustainability and look ahead to change. It is not a magazine, a newsletter or a quarterly review, those publications all have a value, but this is and always has striven to be an international peer-reviewed academic journal. Contributing and maintaining such a journal is challenging but necessary to strengthen the profile of what its many professional contributors do to promote good standards of research, practice and education in health communications.
Finally, I ask that you continue to innovate, to explore and to share your ideas, think critically, be evidence-based in practice and evaluate often, but most of all, type it up.
Thanks to all those who have contributed in any way during my Editorship, this would not have been possible without you.