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Professional scientific editing - a thread 
Inspired by @rita_strack track and her #RitaUnsolicited threads, here goes one on professional scientific editing, how I got there and what it is like (to me).
Inspired by @rita_strack track and her #RitaUnsolicited threads, here goes one on professional scientific editing, how I got there and what it is like (to me).
I thought it might be useful for folks thinking of the next steps in their career in the midst of pandemic restructuring. also, lockdown has me grounded and I haven' spoken about this for a while, so I miss giving the spiel it seems :)
2/15
2/15
Once upon a time, I was a postdoc @UCLA deciding what my next step would be. Three things were decisive in looking beyond an academic career: my PI spent most of his time writing grants (so a move away from the bench seemed inevitable); ...
3/15
3/15
... I was very curious about science way beyond my field and frustrated that I had no time to keep up with the literature; and being a perfectionist, I was uncomfortable with the luck factor inevitably associated with research.
4/15
4/15
I don’t mind hard work (indeed workloads are always very high in editing) but a direct correlation between effort and achievement is appreciated. There are always a lot of papers on your desk, but the ones you worked on today, will have moved forward tomorrow.
5/15
5/15
I started looking for alternatives & knew I wanted to stay close to research. I talked to several editors & it seemed like an interesting possibility. Then, I got my 1st opportunity @emboreports & fell in love with the job–it was a much better fit than I could have foreseen. 6/15
I felt at home in a career where a passion for science, analytical & good communications skills and sociability are key strengths. I left the bench 13 years ago and have never looked back. I have fun & learn something every day, and I love helping people publish their work. 7/15
Although I often feel overstretched (don't we all?), I am very lucky to have a career that I really enjoy.
My approach to editing reflects my personality: friendly and direct.
8/15
My approach to editing reflects my personality: friendly and direct.
8/15
I believe the full-time scientific editors should be efficient and accessible, provide timely decisions and be responsive to authors. Researchers trust us with their work and our decisions should be grounded on the data and well explained.
9/15
9/15
I view the publishing process as a conversation with the authors & I am open to discussion at every stage -that said, appeals are usually not an editor’s best friend & are not often successful for various reasons ( @rita_strack has a good thread about them).
10/15
10/15
Just yesterday, though, I thanked an author for an appeal – every situation is unique and we always treat them fairly. Empathy and kindness will get you many places in all walks of life, including this one.
11/15
11/15
I have many proud moments, e.g. when I see papers make it to publication day, when people discuss work that we’ve helped publish at meetings and when I see the community building on the work.
12/15
12/15
More recently, I’ve led two teams of dedicated editors that fill me with pride, and I enjoy strategic planning for the journal, working to improve the publishing experience for authors & editors, & the diplomacy aspects of the role, reaching out to our communities & beyond
13/15
13/15
Throughout my career, the colleagues that I’ve worked with at the various journals have been one of the highlights. Witty, dedicated and seriously intelligent, they are the opposite of the “failed postdoc” image that often follows us.
14/15
14/15
Given how many people academia trains & the few it permanently employs & how beneficial it would be to have highly-skilled scientists contribute in different roles, thinking outside the box should be encouraged, not frowned upon There's life beyond academia & it can be wonderful!
