Editorial

Extract

Well, we are already at the first issue of the Journal for 2015, and 2014 seems far away now. We had more than 100 papers submitted in 2014 – some of which are still being processed, but this marks a major increase in the amount of papers we receive at the Journal. When I first started editing the WPSJ, we often had to solicit papers on a regular basis to make up an issue. However, in the advent of online submission systems and improved electronic communication, we are receiving more papers than ever from unsolicited sources. This has had several impacts from an administration point of view. Firstly, we are now in a position to be more discerning in the papers we accept. Increasing focus on detailed topics is now achievable – to the benefit of our readership. However, this has meant that we now have to apply some stricter rules regarding length of papers, as we are restricted in the print copy of the WPSJ. As a result, I now have to enforce the 20 page submitted limit, as longer papers cause delays in publishing for those authors further back in the production system. So, when you are submitting a paper, please respect the page limits imposed out of consideration for other authors. Following the October Board Meeting in Korea, where we were all made very welcome by the organisers (thank you) – several changes to the way the WPSJ is run were actioned. Most important of this was the formation of a Board Editorial Committee comprised of myself, Dr Michelle Tixier-Boichard, Prof Rob Gous and Prof Birger Svihus, with Mrs Dorien Kleverwal from the Dutch Office being involved in the meetings. This will be a boon to myself and Dr Shay Hill, who assists me with the running of the Journal, as we will have colleagues to assist with the ongoing development and success of the Journal. In addition, a revamp of members of the Editorial Committee is underway, with those people involved having to take on responsibilities for sections and topics within the journal – again to increase $ efficiency and quality. The Board voted for the Journal to move to an online publishing system called FirstView, whereby as soon as papers are completed, they will go live online, and the later be incorporated into the print issue. This will allow us to get papers out faster, and get better visibility of the publications from the WPSJ. So 2015 will be a year of change – but for the betterment of the Journal and for WPSA members.

Dr Lucy Waldron

Editor