SAF is seeking Associate Editors for Forest Science (looking for international professionals – ideally from Latin America, Asia, and Africa). Interested individuals can apply by sending a CV to Matt Walls (wallsm@safnet.org).
Forest Science is a peer-reviewed journal publishing fundamental and applied research that explores all aspects of natural and social sciences as they apply to the function and management of the forested ecosystems of the world. Topics include silviculture, forest management, biometrics, economics, entomology & pathology, fire & fuels management, forest ecology, genetics & tree improvement, geospatial technologies, harvesting & utilization, landscape ecology, operations research, forest policy, physiology, recreation, social sciences, soils & hydrology, and wildlife management.
Forest Science currently has an editorial board comprised of 1 editor-in-chief, 3 applied research editors, and over 75 associate editors specializing in 18 areas of forestry and natural resources. Associate editors are responsible for assisting the editor in soliciting and developing articles of interest to forestry and natural resource researchers, academicians, and professionals, land managers, and policy makers; obtaining competent, timely reviews of assigned papers; and ensuring that the topics covered in Forest Science are balanced across discipline and employment categories.
In more specific terms, there are two broad areas of responsibility. The first is the peer-review process, coordinating the review of scientific and technical manuscripts in the associate editor’s field that have been submitted to Forest Science for publication—generally by distributing them to three authorities in the relevant subject areas. To fulfill this task, associate editors must know the different subfields within his or her specialty, and who practices in these subfields, so that papers can be sent to appropriate, knowledgeable reviewers. Associate editors will be notified by the web-based peer review system, Rapid Review, that a manuscript has been sent for review. It is expected that the associate editor acknowledge the assignment and assign reviewers within 4 business days of receipt. Reviewers are asked to accept or decline a review assignment within 2 business days and return completed reviews within 15 business days; associate editors are expected to ensure that assignments are acknowledged and comments are returned in a timely manner. Associate editors are asked to review reviewer comments and ensure that they are delivered in a professional and constructive manner, then synthesize these comments for the Forest Science editor. If the reviewers should disagree markedly, the associate editor should recommend which course to take (accept, ask for revision, or reject), and provide guidance that the authors can follow when preparing their revision.
The second area concerns the broader, less-defined role of consulting with and advising the Forest Science editor-in-chief in determining the content, direction, and focus of Forest Science, particularly in the specialties that he or she is responsible for. This would include being aware of new developments in the field, current controversies, and subjects that have not been adequately covered in Forest Science. Associate editors are encouraged to suggest possible topics and authors for appropriate articles.