Top Journal Youth Talk | Zhang Jiao:Running a journal by, for and of science
Dr. Zhang Jiao is the deputy director of FESE’s editorial office. Taking science to the people and spreading the scientific spirit through the journal is her mission. What is the scientific spirit? It is a combination of calmness, objectivity and integrity.
"Starting an editorial career does not signify the end of an academic journey." This is how Dr. Jiao Zhang, Deputy Director of editorial office of Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, evaluates her own work. She believes that editing is not merely about reading articles and compiling manuscripts while sitting in front of a computer; it is also the embodiment of the scientific spirit of calmness, objectivity, and integrity.
What makes a good article? People have different views and that leads to discussions and suggestions. As an editor, Zhang gets a sense of achievement when her suggestions on an article are accepted by scientists. Sometimes a single word, phrase, or theme can give greater value to an article.
When a journal already has a reputation, how todevelop it further? Today, FESE is published on multimedia and multi-channels. In addition, Zhang and the editorial board are also organizing a Youth Forum and a series of online activities.
Zhang says organizing the Youth Forum shows her the team's strength, and exploring audio-visual activities has the charm of filmmaking. "My daily work and my interactions with scientists improve my academic quality and personal accomplishments," she says.
As the editor of a scientific journal, Zhang aspires to take science to the people.
"Editors are often called unsung heroes but I think with their unique perspectives, they can also become partners in scientists' research journeys and a force for the advancement of science," she told us.