Inside the World of Editorial Boards
Have you ever wondered how a scientific discovery makes the journey from a researcher's lab notebook to a trusted published study? The answer lies not just in the brilliance of the scientists, but in a critical, yet often overlooked, group: the Editorial Board.
Explore the ProcessAt its core, an editorial board is a team of active scientists and scholars who volunteer their time to guide a scientific journal. Think of a journal not just as a magazine, but as a curated library of human knowledge. The editorial board are the librarians and architects of this library. They don't just lend out books; they decide which new books are worthy of inclusion, ensure they are well-built, and constantly work to improve the library's reputation and usefulness .
This is a significant commitment, and being on a board is considered an honor in the research community . But what do they actually do? Their responsibilities are vast and vital:
A typical editorial board is structured like a pyramid of expertise, with each role having distinct responsibilities.
| Role | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Editor-in-Chief | The primary decision-maker for all manuscripts and the ultimate overseer of the journal's vision and function 3 . |
| Deputy Editors | Step in for the Editor-in-Chief when needed and assist with editing articles for style and consistency 3 . |
| Associate Editors | Decision-making editors who manage the peer review for individual papers and make the initial publish/revise/reject recommendations 3 . |
| Section Editors | Manage specific sections of the journal (e.g., reviews, short communications) and oversee the review process for submissions in their area 3 . |
| Editorial Board Members | The broader board body that reviews manuscripts, submits their own work, and suggests new topics or special issues 3 . |
The hierarchical yet collaborative structure ensures that each manuscript receives appropriate oversight at every stage of the review process.
Multiple layers of review and decision-making help maintain the highest standards of scientific quality and integrity.
So, how does this board actually handle your average new research submission? The process is a meticulous funnel designed to filter for quality. Let's imagine a researcher, Dr. Anna Smith, submits a paper on a new battery material to the journal "Energy Innovations."
The submission lands in the inbox of the Editor-in-Chief. They quickly assess it to see if it fits the journal's scope. If it does, they assign it to an Associate Editor with expertise in battery materials.
The Associate Editor's first crucial task is to select 2-4 independent peer reviewers from the global research community. These are anonymous experts who will provide a detailed critique.
The reviewers spend weeks analyzing Dr. Smith's work. Is her method sound? Are her conclusions supported by the data? Is she aware of all relevant previous research? They send their detailed comments back to the Associate Editor.
The Associate Editor synthesizes all the reviews and makes a recommendation. In this case, the reviews are positive but request some additional experiments. The recommendation is "revise and resubmit."
The Editor-in-Chief approves this decision, and the letter is sent to Dr. Smith. She performs the extra work, resubmits, and after a final check by the Associate Editor, her paper is accepted for publication.
This entire workflow, from submission to acceptance, is orchestrated and quality-controlled by the editorial board.
| Stage | Process | Editorial Board's Role |
|---|---|---|
| Submission | Author submits manuscript. | Editor-in-Chief performs initial check for scope and quality. |
| Assignment | Manuscript is assigned to an handling editor. | Editor-in-Chief or Section Editor assigns it to a specific Associate Editor with relevant expertise 3 . |
| Peer Review | Handling editor selects independent experts for review. | Associate Editor uses their knowledge of the field to identify and invite appropriate peer reviewers. |
| Decision | Reviews are compiled and a decision is made. | Associate Editor evaluates reviewer comments and makes a recommendation (Accept/Revise/Reject); Editor-in-Chief gives final approval 3 . |
| Publication | Accepted manuscript is prepared and published. | The editorial board's role is complete for that article, moving on to the next submission. |
Creating an effective editorial board is a science in itself. As an Editor-in-Chief builds their team, they aren't just looking for big names; they are looking for a balanced, functioning unit .
A good board member must have research interests that align with the journal and be genuinely invested in driving the publication forward . But perhaps the most critical modern consideration is diversity. A board that is diverse in geography, gender, and scientific sub-field is not just a box-ticking exercise. It is essential for the exchange of ideas across the globe and helps prevent unconscious bias, ensuring a wider range of research is fairly evaluated . As one analysis noted, boards that are internationally diverse are more likely to have importance in the global community of researchers .
Source: Adapted from data on the journal "Computers and Structures" 5
This snapshot highlights a known challenge in STEM fields and underscores why many journals are actively working to build more inclusive and representative boards.
In a lab, scientists use physical tools and reagents to conduct experiments. For an editorial board, the essential "research reagents" are the people, principles, and practices that ensure a fair and rigorous review process.
The catalyst for the entire operation, providing vision and final authority 3 .
The specialized enzymes, each catalyzing the review process in their specific area of expertise 3 .
The anonymous reagents that test the quality of the submission without becoming part of the final product.
The buffer solution that maintains the journal's environment, defining what topics are in-bounds.
The protocol that prevents contamination, ensuring research is conducted and reported with integrity.
The mixed substrate that drives innovation, achieved through geographic, gender, and disciplinary diversity on the board .
Editorial boards are far more than a prestigious title on a CV. They are the foundation of trust in science. By orchestrating the rigorous process of peer review, they filter out error, elevate brilliance, and maintain the standards that allow science to self-correct and advance. The next time you read about a groundbreaking scientific discovery, remember the unseen panel of experts who vetted it—the dedicated editorial board that helped ensure the finding was sound enough to become a part of our shared understanding of the universe.