"As this journal ‘moves on’, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to onboard some new partners.”

As a peer review supplier, vendor, partner (there are so many terms), we work with many publishers and societies and a large variety of journals. We see our customers as partners, who become our work colleagues and, in many cases, personal friends.

Each partner has their own way of working with us – some require little daily interaction, just requiring us to complete the tasks assigned, whilst some want to work in a highly collaborative way, using Slack channels where issues are discussed and solutions created. We really get to know them and help streamline their processes and reach their journals’ goals.

Each of our current 110 journals has its own character – some are tricky and need constant attention and management – which we thrive on! Some are a joy to work on and our team fights over the opportunity to be a part of them.  It’s the variety of the work we do and the people we work with which underpins the passion we have for peer review.

Every now and then, we have to say goodbye to a partner or journal. On Monday, we will say goodbye to one of our longest standing and largest journals. While getting ready for transition, I’ve been trying to get the emotions straight in my head so that we can meet this challenge and come out stronger on the other side.

I’ve realised that my feelings towards this journal’s next period of its life are strongly aligned to how I felt when my two daughters left home to go to university. I’m not losing complete touch with the journal, as we will still be partnering with the publisher on other projects. I know it’s in great shape and has people who care about its progress and will look after it on the next stage of its progression. I also know that it’s not mine to keep, and so making sure it has everything it needs, packing its bag, waving it goodbye and wishing it well is the right thing to do.

Just like when we left our youngest daughter at her new halls of residence, my husband and I started to look forward to the next stage of our lives. Time and energy that was previously dedicated to the upbringing of our dependants was now available for other challenges.

It’s slightly daunting this time of change– but mostly, it is very exciting. As this journal ‘moves on’, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to onboard some new partners. We also have time to dedicate to new technical solutions and to new marketing opportunities. I can’t wait to see where it leads.

So, in short, we are actively seeking new partnerships, new challenges, and new friends!

If you would like to learn more about Editorial Office and our peer review management, do get in touch – email [email protected]