As my term as Editor-in-Chief of Science Editor comes to an end, I’m struck by how much has changed in scientific editing and publishing over the last 8 years and how much it is likely to continue changing. Maybe that has always been the case, but evolving publication models and platforms, open science, COVID, a shifting science funding landscape, and the rise of AI have made these years seem particularly tumultuous. 

At Science Editor, along with our incomparable Managing Editor, Beverly Lindeen, and a dedicated Editorial Board, we have strived to serve as a beacon and bastion during these confusing times and have worked to publish important, impactful, and interesting articles, interviews, perspectives, and more that we hope have helped our readers stay better informed and improve their publications and workplaces. In addition, I’d like to highlight a few of our accomplishments and initiatives:

• Consistent Publication: My priority as a new EIC in 2018 was to return Science Editor to a consistent quarterly issue publication schedule with a steady supply of Early Online articles published soon after acceptance. Except for some recent website-related delays, I’m happy to report that has been maintained and I hope that readers have come to expect and appreciate the flow on new articles.
• Improved standardization: It is important to both authors and readers that Science Editor reflect industry best practices. In 2019, CSE became a member of CrossRef, and we began registering DOIs for all articles. We also started collecting and publishing ORCIDs for all authors who provide them. We have also implemented a standardized Publication Agreement for authors and added disclaimers to all articles to protect CSE and the Editorial Board and allow us to publish a wide range of opinions.
• Enhanced Reading Experience: As a key CSE member benefit, it is important that both the print and online versions of Science Editor make for an enjoyable and engaging reading experience. Online, we have worked to tag and collect articles for greater discoverability and spotlight photos and figures whenever possible. In print, we have tried to make each issue similar to the experience of reading a well-curated magazine with a striking cover and images throughout, a mix of short, breezy quick reads and more in-depth articles, and topics ranging from lighthearted (but informative) to serious.
• Special Focused Issues: Starting in 2023, we began publishing annual special focused issues around significant topics including careers, transformations and transitions, what the future may hold, and the increasingly international landscape of scientific editing and publishing. These issues have been very well received and have helped expand the readership and contributors to Science Editor.
• Increased Visibility: As a quarterly publication, it was important that Science Editor be promoted more regularly, so in October 2018, I started the monthly Science Editor Newsletter. The Newsletter has been a fun way to engage with CSE members, and I’ve loved all the feedback I’ve received. In February 2021, we created a Science Editor Instagram account (@csescienceeditor) to post the covers from issues and other images of interest.
• Supporting the Council of Science Editors: Science Editor is an important and essential member benefit for CSE, and we have tried to support CSE fully throughout our editorship. First and foremost, we have worked to publish on a variety of topics that cover the full spectrum of potential CSE members, ensuring all members find representation and interest in our pages. In addition, for the CSE Annual Meeting, we publish a meeting preview by each meeting’s co-chairs and have focused on reinvigorating the Annual Meeting Reports process so that almost all sessions at the annual meetings have been covered with high-quality reports. Since 2020, I have also interviewed the incoming President of CSE, providing a platform for them to share their vision for their term as President. 

For all these accomplishments, I want to emphasize how Science Editor is a collective achievement created by a dedicated team that includes myself, our Managing Editor, Beverly Lindeen, our editorial board, and the many contributors to Science Editor. In my opinion, one of the many strengths of Science Editor is that it is a community project, reflecting the insights, experiences, and opinions of a wide range of CSE members and beyond. 

It has also, over the years, reinforced that I think it’s best to approach “science editor” as a broad term encompassing multiple positions, including editors-in-chief, professional scientific editors, academic editors, handling editors, technical editors, managing editors, copy editors, manuscript editors, project editors, production editors, data editors, editorial assistants, and so on. We have published articles by, and about, all these roles and more, and it has been my great joy and honor learning from everyone and sharing that out with the world.

In learning about all these roles, my main takeaway has been that editing, in all its forms, is a human endeavor. It’s about applying our judgments, insights, expertise, ethics, backgrounds, and experiences, and usually in the service of someone else’s work. I strongly believe that the work of editors is essential and transformative and will only become more important in a rapidly changing landscape of science. 

To close, I think it is appropriate to highlight this passage from my 2018 introductory editorial:

In many cases, the day-to-day work of these roles may be different, but what binds them, and why I feel calling them all “science editors” is appropriate, is we all share the common goal of improving the scientific literature, enhancing the scientific record, and ultimately advancing science and our understanding of the world.

This goal is reflected in CSE’s vision statement: “To be indispensable in the communication of science.” Building on that vision, under my watch, the mission statement for Science Editor will be as follows: “To provide science editors with the knowledge, skills, and concepts they need to run the best version of their journal or publication in pursuit of improving the scientific literature.”

I see CSE and Science Editor being the place where these different types of editors can interact and support each other. To put it succinctly, I want Science Editor to be the place where editors connect.

I’d like to think we were successful in that regard and we are leaving Science Editor in a good place so the incoming editorial team of new Editor-in-Chief, Daniella Thoren, and new Managing Editor, Ashley DiMatteo, can make it even better. My term may be over, but Science Editor will continue to grow and thrive, and I’m excited to see what comes next. I thank CSE for everything and for allowing me this opportunity. I am humbled and forever grateful. 

Note: Sections of this article were adapted from my Meritorious Achievement Award speech given at the May 2026 CSE Annual Meeting.