Waikato academic disperses ashen skies with editing

Volcanic ash has been the focus of media lately, having caused mayhem for flights across the world. It has also been the focus of Professor David Lowe at the University.

Quaternary International

Professor Lowe, from the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, recently finished co-editing a journal on tephra (volcanic ash) studies and application, comprising 31 papers and four editorials, for Quaternary International. He had editorial responsibility for nine of the papers as well as contributing editorials.

“This is the third special tephra volume I have edited or co-edited for Quaternary International. Editing is never easy but I have enjoyed the work and it has become a remarkably fulfilling part of my job. I have been editorially responsible for 44 papers for Quaternary International now.

“Editing is an important role which must be done conscientiously because the whole scientific process depends on it. Some scientists refuse to referee papers saying they are ‘too busy’, but of course they expect other people to referee their papers."

Academic Reviews

The University of Waikato has a large number of academics who give their time to edit and review papers and articles, and Professor Lowe is working to encourage even more to get involved.  The editing and reviewing processes not only challenge academics, but also ensure high standards and credibility in published works.

“I would thoroughly recommend that academics after a few years of experience consider offering themselves as members of an editorial board, and to referee papers conscientiously when asked. And to consider becoming an editor at some point if they enjoy the English language and helping to disseminate science!”

Professor Lowe is a member of the editorial boards of both Quaternary International and the Journal of Quaternary Science. Previously he was an editorial adviser for the New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics.

Soil Science Society of America Journal

He was awarded a special citation, ‘The Editor’s Citation of Excellence for Associate Editor’, for his role as an associate editor for the Soil Science Society of America Journal (SSSAJ). The citation, announced earlier this year, recognises his “outstanding professional contributions in the handling of papers submitted for publication in 2010”.

Professor Lowe will have been an associated editor for SSSAJ for six years by the end of 2011 and has handled nearly 30 articles in that time.

“I really enjoy editing even though it is hard work a lot of the time especially with papers from authors for whom English is not the first language” says Professor Lowe.

“The editing helps one keep up to date with the literature as well as making a contribution to the dissemination of new knowledge.”