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Publishing Editor Blog

Ever wanted to know what the staff at the RSC get up to? In this blog our publishing editors describe some of the interesting activities they are working on, and let you know what it's really like to work at a leading international scientific publishers. You can also hear from the development editors in our publishing team, and find out what exciting projects and RSC social events they have been involved in recently.

Find out more about publishing opportunities at the RSC here
 

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Publishing Editor - Materials & Nano
 

ac6900799068b34f964858d09cf1bd7a-huge-ghAs an avid reader and with a broad interest in chemistry (but absolutely no desire to be in a lab each day) when I discovered the Publishing Editor role, it seemed absolutely perfect. Two years on, and I have learned so much about the publishing landscape, and really enjoyed getting involved in all of the social activities and clubs with my colleagues across the organisation.
 
A core part of my role is considering new submissions to journals and discussing these with my colleagues in editorial meetings. As a member of the Materials team, I have really enjoyed learning more about the latest cutting edge research across a broad range of topics from batteries to biosensors to LEDs. In particular, I work on one of the largest journals at the Royal Society of Chemistry, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, which focuses on materials for energy and sustainability. I find it really motivating that my job contributes to the broader efforts of science in solving global environmental issues.
 
Outside of the day-to-day activities, there are also plenty of opportunities to work with different people across the organisation. Last year, I was able to join the Membership team in travelling across the UK to discuss the benefits of Royal Society of Chemistry membership with students at various different universities. This had the added benefit of a trip home to Scotland and a chance to catch up with all my old lecturers, supervisors and friends at the University of Edinburgh.
 
Recently, I was appointed to the role of Assistant Editor, which is a similar role to the Publishing Editor role but focuses on our flagship journal Chemical Science. I am excited to learn more about the strategy and development of the journal, though I will be sad to leave my colleagues on the Materials team. My time at the Royal Society of Chemistry has been a great learning experience, and I know it will stand me in good stead for challenges to come!

Geraldine Hay is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on May 27, 2020 4:25 PM BST
Publishing Editor - Inorganic


Accepting the Publishing Editor role at the Royal Society of Chemistry signified more for me than just the end of university, it was a new beginning entirely. I was moving away, far from home, and into an exciting yet unfamiliar city, starting a new job without my close friends and family around me for support. To say I was apprehensive was an understatement, but I soon found my feet with the help of this welcoming and sociable company.   

You will see from this blog that one key point that makes the Royal Society of Chemistry spee63ade6a84cb8f099511d10f86e9bf40-huge-pacial is the people. As a voluntary member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Sports and Social club (SSC) I help plan a number of exciting events regularly throughout the year, from table football tournaments to pottery painting – providing lots of opportunities to get creative or competitive alongside your colleagues! We also have a huge variety of clubs that meet regularly at lunchtimes or after work. Whether you would like to take up a new language, pick up your tennis racket again, or bake (a great excuse to make cake, the social glue of our company!) there is something for everyone. 

My role in the SSC is New Starter Liaison, and I am around to help those who are new to the company get settled into their new role and life at the Royal Society of Chemistry. I organise regular lunches for new starters where you can get to know colleagues who have recently begun working at the Royal Society of Chemistry, as well as events outside of work.

The SSC were very welcoming when I began working at the Royal Society of Chemistry, as were the inorganic team who organised a whole team lunch on my first day. As a member of the inorganic team I carry out peer review for our inorganic portfolio including Dalton Transactions and CrystEngComm. I am journal coordinator and cover coordinator for CrystEngComm, acting as a point of contact for queries relating to peer review and publication of papers submitted to the journal, working alongside a multidisciplinary team to ensure the journal runs smoothly. In particular I enjoy commissioning covers for upcoming issues of CrystEngComm, an opportunity to showcase some of the best work submitted to the journal.

Currently, I am particularly proud of the volunteer work being carried out by myself and the rest of the SSC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through organising virtual activities we are helping to boost the morale of the whole company, keeping everyone connected; because after all, what makes the Royal Society of Chemistry so special is the people. 
Paige Boxhall is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email

 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Apr 20, 2020 4:03 PM BST
Publishing Editor - Materials & Nano
 

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After spending several years in post-doctoral research and realising this was not the career for me, I was attracted to the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Editor graduate programme as a way of staying close to science while developing my growing interests in written communication.

The assessment centre day was very well organised, with accommodation and travel expenses covered, and a big effort was made all round to make the attendees feel at ease. It was an interesting and enjoyable day, and I was pleasantly surprised to get a phone call the next week telling me I'd been successful! Although the Publishing Editor role is advertised as a graduate position, it is actually open to anyone with a science background looking to begin a new career in publishing.

Having previously written and reviewed scientific papers (including for Royal Society of Chemistry journals!), it was an enlightening experience to find myself on the other side of the peer review process as an editor. I began working on manuscripts under the very attentive and supportive supervision of my trainer. Working on the Materials teams has allowed me to apply my physics knowledge but also increased my chemistry knowledge a huge amount in lots of areas (I now know a lot about batteries!). I have taken on a number of additional responsibilities, including supporting our associate editors, commissioning cover artwork, and compiling journal issues.

When I first came to Cambridge I was able to rent one of the Royal Society of Chemistry's staff flats, which gave me time to find a suitable place to live and made the move a lot less stressful. The flats are also available for shorter bookings (e.g., for family visits) and are very helpful for staff moving to the area. The Royal Society of Chemistry also looks to help the local community and staff can apply to use a few working days a year to undertake voluntary work.

The Royal Society of Chemistry is a very open and friendly place to work, which is particularly apparent around Christmas when all staff enjoy the annual Christmas lunch at Kings College in Cambridge! I have learnt a lot in just one year, and it is great to work in such a varied role within a friendly and supportive team.

Matthew Blow is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email

 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Mar 3, 2020 12:48 PM GMT
Publishing Editor – General and Analytical Team
 

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I have always enjoyed reading scientific literature and writing, and decided that a career in scientific publishing would allow me to continue this after my PhD at the University of York. The Royal Society of Chemistry attracted me due to its welcoming and inclusive reputation.

I work on Chemical Communications, RSC Advances and a range of analytical journals. As my background is in bioinorganic chemistry, I particularly enjoy working on Metallomics. However, working on Chemical Communications means that I see a wide range of topics, and this is great for broadening my knowledge of current hot research topics. As part of my role I get to commission cover artwork which is a rewarding task as I think this is a great opportunity for our authors to celebrate their work. It is great to see finished artwork used to promote cutting edge scientific research.

I am currently training as a user group member for our production workflow system. This means that I will be able to help out with a range of technical problems that might be encountered by my colleagues, and it is a great opportunity to develop my problem solving skills!
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This year I was involved in organising a staff celebration day for the International Year of the Periodic Table. I organised a ‘Guess the Element’ game, a world map of element discoveries, and a periodic table made out of cake!

We also managed to create a human periodic table. It was a great experience for meeting colleagues across the organisation. It is easy to find like-minded people at the Royal Society of Chemistry with the range of clubs that we have. I set-up and run the Baking Club at the Cambridge Office. We meet up once a month at lunchtime and swap baked goods, this month we are all baking pies. All abilities are welcome, and it is a lovely group to be part of.

 

Ellis Wilde is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email

 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Nov 27, 2019 3:45 PM GMT
Publishing Editor – Physical & Nano

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Chemistry and publishing have been two of my biggest passions for as long as I can remember, so the opportunity to combine them in the Publishing Editor role meant that this was the perfect job for me after I graduated from university.

I am soon to celebrate my two-year anniversary on the Physical Nano team and the time has flown by. My team coordinates two of the largest journals in the portfolio, PCCP and Nanoscale, as well as the cutting-edge Nanoscale Horizons, so there is always something to do - be it editing manuscripts, corresponding with authors and reviewers, or even attending a Faraday Discussion.

Over the last year, I have been involved with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s newest journal, Nanoscale Advances, which is our first journal to be fully Open Access at launch. The freely available content in Open Access journals aims to help science progress faster and on a global scale – which is amazing in an increasingly collaborative and diverse world! The launch of Nanoscale Advances ensures the Royal Society of Chemistry stays at the forefront of the dynamic journal publication field and it is exciting to be part of this.

As the journal coordinator for Nanoscale Advances, I am more involved in the running of this journal than the other publications on my portfolio. This role has allowed me to work more closely with the development and marketing teams, commissioning cover artwork, preparing the contents of each issue ready for publication every month, assessing manuscripts transferred into the journal, and attending regular meetings to keep on top of the journal’s progress in this important first year. I also get to work directly with authors, making sure that their experience with peer review and article production is as smooth as possible.

Nanoscale Advances’ first impact factor will be released in 2021. We have set our sights high and I am so proud of the opportunities this journal provides for research that might not otherwise be seen by scientists and the general public alike.
Lucy Balshaw is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email

 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Sep 20, 2019 4:54 PM BST
Publishing Editor - Technology & Environment


Afteec92168b913b2f5e68a66266c44d30a8-huge-hor graduating from university, I did not have a set career path in mind except that I knew the lab was not for me (too clumsy!) but I wanted to contribute to something that helps people and makes a positive impact. I had dabbled a little in editing while at university and started my own blog, which inspired me to apply for jobs in publishing.

My first job was at a publisher of dentistry magazines which I really enjoyed. To continue my career in publishing at the Royal Society of Chemistry where, as a not-for-profit organisation, the aim is to increase the wellness of employees and to disseminate knowledge, is fantastic! I love knowing that my hard work is allowing my colleagues in other teams to do great things. This includes supporting chemistry teachers across the UK, increasing diversity and inclusion throughout the chemical sciences and helping chemists directly through schemes like the Chemist’s Community Fund.

My degree is in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry, and I am now working on the Environmental Science journals. I have been a Publishing Editor for four months and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about a different field.

The move to Cambridge was a bit daunting, but the city itself is lovely and everyone here has been really friendly. There are multiple support networks available through the training scheme and peer-to-peer support system, and regular after work social events!
 
Sarah Holmes is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Jul 18, 2019 11:45 AM BST
Publishing Editor - General and Analytical Team

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After my degree I knew that a career in the lab was not for me but I wanted to stay in touch with science. A lot of different roles accommodate this but I thought publishing looked interesting and diverse, and over 10 years later I am still here!

I started working on Databases and then moved into working on the production side of journals before being trained in handling peer review. My role now covers most aspects of journal production as I handle articles from submission to acceptance, and as a journal coordinator, deal with any problems that arise as the article is edited and produced ready for final publication.

I have been able to work on a range of different journals that cover all kinds of chemistry research. Some journals I work on - Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry and Analyst - are among the oldest that the Royal Society of Chemistry publishes, the first edition of Analyst was published in the nineteenth century and it is great to be part of its continued success! However, I have also worked on journals as they first launch, including Analytical Methods and Metallomics.

It is interesting to work with different chemistry communities and to see journals grow and change, and I have enjoyed meeting Board Members and Associate Editors of the journals that I work closely on and hear their point of view. The Publishing Editor role provides a birds-eye view of chemistry research that continues to keep my attention!
 

Harriet Brewerton is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Jun 6, 2019 12:41 PM BST
Publishing Editor - General and Analytical Team


37fb0e080baef1b173e09d6995c42ba7-huge-alLike many others who came to work as a Publishing Editor at the Royal Society of Chemistry, the path that led me here brought me from a research background with a readiness to hang up the lab coat and safety specs.

Having completed my PhD at the University of Sheffield, I was in the middle of a postdoctoral contract in January 2017 when I was shown an advert for the Publishing Editor scheme at the Royal Society of Chemistry. The temptation of a permanent and stable job, particularly one that would allow me to remain involved with cutting edge research while avoiding the ups and downs of the lab, was too much to resist, and in September of the same year I began working at the Cambridge office.

The generous relocation allowance took away a lot of the stress of moving to a completely new part of the country. While there is a large base of Publishing Editors living in Cambridge, I decided to opt for the (slightly cheaper!) option of living in Ely, which is served by a train service that runs regularly to Cambridge North station a few minutes walk from the Science Park.

I have now been working at the Royal Society of Chemistry for over a year, and my level of responsibilities have increased quickly giving me insight into a few different journals. Besides supporting a host of external Associate Editors in their tasks and coordinating RSC Advances and Metallomics, I also recently had the opportunity to attend the Chemistry World Jobs Live event held at Burlington House, London. This allowed me to discuss my role with the many enthusiastic undergraduate and postgraduate students who were interested in a career as a Publishing Editor at the Royal Society of Chemistry. I hope my advice and experience helped everyone who I talked to, and I look forward to working with those who choose to apply to the Royal Society of Chemistry in the future!
 

Alex Metherell is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Dec 4, 2018 9:18 AM GMT
Publishing Editor - Sustainability

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Even without a degree in Chemistry, it really is possible to apply any scientific background to the Publishing Editor role. When I first introduced myself at my assessment centre, I realised I was the only biologist and was surrounded by chemists with masters degrees, PhDs and post-docs, making me certain that I wouldn’t be considered for the job! I am now coming up to my year anniversary as a Publishing Editor with the Royal Society of Chemistry, and I could not imagine working anywhere else.

At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we are lucky enough to count biologists, geologists and more among our ranks, and each contributes their own knowledge and skills to our teams. As a Publishing Editor on the Sustainability team, I have worked on facilitating the peer review of some incredible journals and I spend most days communicating with authors and reviewers from all over the world. After eleven months working here I now support Associate Editors, am the journal coordinator for Green Chemistry and the cover coordinator for Energy & Environmental Science, and I have just started training a new starter on my team in peer review.

As well as a varied workload, we are also very proud of our work/life balance, and there is a thriving social scene at the Royal Society of Chemistry making it impossible not to settle in straight away. Almost as soon as I joined I volunteered to work on the Sports and Social Club Committee, who plan company-wide social events throughout the year both after work and at lunch, and I personally helped to organise a celebration for International Women’s Day in March. Since then, we have hosted a self-defence class, a floristry workshop, go-karting and have lots more in store for the remainder of 2018.
 

Olivia Wakeman is a Publishing Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Sep 12, 2018 2:44 PM BST
Assistant Editor – Chemical Science


ff14700f0f097d7308950ab12214c76e-huge-wiI joined the Royal Society of Chemistry 18 months ago, having previously worked in science outreach and education for over 2 years. I began my career at the Royal Society of Chemistry as a Publishing Editor on the General Chemistry portfolio of journals, and recently moved to a new role as Assistant Editor of Chemical Science.

As a Publishing Editor I worked on several journals including Chemical Science, and I particularly enjoyed supporting our Associate Editors based around the world. I had the opportunity to travel to a conference in Oxford to meet one of my Associate Editors, and I also attended an editorial board meeting for Royal Society Open Science (our partnership with the Royal Society) to deliver a workshop for Associate Editors on referee selection.

Chemical Science is the Royal Society of Chemistry’s flagship journal and my new role as Assistant Editor allows me to continue carrying out peer review activities and be involved with strategy and development activities.

I like the focus on Associate Editor support in my role, which plays well to my strengths, and I have greatly enjoyed getting stuck into the development tasks such as promoting articles through our China office and engaging with the community at conferences and on social media. There are challenges ahead, but my experience as a Publishing Editor will serve me well.
William King is an Assistant Editor working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
 
Posted by Harriet Brewerton on Aug 15, 2018 1:31 PM BST
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