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“ Bioscience Horizons: The evolution of an International Student Journal ”. Martin Luck, Neil Morris, Julian Park, Jon Green, Momna Hejmadi, Cynthia Burek Jennifer Boyd. HEA STEM Conference , Edinburgh, April 2014. The benefits?. Motivator for enthusiastic and able students
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“Bioscience Horizons: The evolution of an International Student Journal” Martin Luck, Neil Morris, Julian Park, Jon Green, Momna Hejmadi, Cynthia Burek Jennifer Boyd HEA STEM Conference , Edinburgh, April 2014
The benefits? • Motivator for enthusiastic and able students • Publication of valuable research • First step on the publication ladder for those considering research • Useful addition to graduate’s CV • Showcase for junior cohorts…this is what you can achieve. • Marketing tool?
Existing opportunities • Mainstream bioscience journals • In house UG journals….Origins, BURN, Biolog-e • Cross-disciplinary journals such as “Reinvention” …Warwick, The Plymouth Scientist…. • Bioscience Horizons
The Bioscience Horizons management team • Martin Luck, University of Nottingham (Chair of Management Board) • Neil Morris, University of Leeds (Editor in Chief) • Julian Park, University of Reading • Cynthia Burek, University of Chester • Jonathan Green, Univrsity of Birmingham • Momna Hejmadi, University of Bath • Jennifer Boyd, Oxford University Press
Specific objectives of the journal • To promote the link between teaching and research in Higher Education • To provide a repository of high quality student research which will be useful to other students and staff • To provide a forum for students, their supervisors and Universities, to showcase high quality research work • To illustrate the student skill base to prospective employers.
How has it happened? Publishing agreement with OUP Journal has a website, see www.biohorizons.oxfordjournals.org OUP published two e-pilot editions in 2007/08, with hardcopy for publicity 2011/2012 saw major overhaul of the submission process 2013 the journal went International and included taught M-level outputs Supervisors can now be co-authors
Where and how many? • 64 different HEIs since establishment • Papers from 32 different institutions in 2013 • 32 new papers in 2013, 21 being primary research, 11 reviews • Currently • 10 accepted following revision • 3 undergoing minor changes • 11 undergoing major revision • 9 rejected/withdrawn • 8 under review
The review process • International • Usually two reviewers • Quality, quality, quality • Equivalent to “normal” journal review • Rejection is common and can be awkward!
Example titles • The effects of immune challenge on locust salivary glands in vitro • The thermal biology of lizards in relation to body surface temperature and lizard length. • Factors controlling internal initiation of transcription at PRY3 in budding yeast • An investigation to determine the variation in marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza) populations at Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton
Common queries/issues • If it is published in Bioscience Horizons can it be published elsewhere as well? • What about authorship? • Does the journal have an impact factor? • I do not think I can convince colleagues to engage with this • The supervisor of our best UG project wants to publish in another journal • Are they just like “normal” papers?
Successes • Next year will be the 7th volume • Financial support from Founder Universities, BBSRC and Professional Societies to keep going • Bioscience Horizons was runner up in the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) Award for Publishing Innovation in 2008 • Various publications about the Journal
Chairs Prize 2013 • Best research paper - Effect of woodstack structure on invertebrate abundance and diversity by Richard Sands • Best review paper – mGlu5 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of fragile X syndrome by Lear Robertson
What do the authors think? • Bioscience Horizons provided me with a fantastic introduction to the processes involved in publishing scientific research, Michael Goldsworthy, 2008 • At an interview my prospective employer searched for my name on the internet, found my publication and offered me the position. Victoria Sebbage 2009 • The opportunity gave me confidence in my writing, making the publication of further work less daunting. Sarah-Jane Haig 2011
Tips for those considering • Clear about your objectives • Dedicated team with clear responsibilities • Try and work with a publishing house • Consider the financial viability • Good communication is essential • Not everybody will share your enthusiasm!
Concluding comments • Very high quality papers from very able students • Students very enthusiastic about the process • We hope as volumes continue to accumulate it will provide a repository of UG excellence for reference • Constant awareness raising… • On-going sustainability issues • You may be asked to review a paper…I hope you will! Contact Bioscience Horizons Editorial Office <biohorizons.editorialoffice@oup.com> or the presenters directly