The success of Neuro-Oncology is contingent on many elements. The quality and impact of the science and research conducted, especially if this results in a major paradigm shift in the field, is well accepted as the main driving factor. The integrity and efficiency of the review process to ensure that the conduct of the work was rigorous and reproducible, and that the conclusions were clear and appropriate, is another major factor. Peer reviewers are critical to the contribution of high-quality scientific publications, yet there are few programs that seek to formalize the training of the peer-review process.
To address this training gap, the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) and Oxford University Press are pleased to announce the inaugural Editorial Scholars Program. This new opportunity is offered to early-career members to enhance their skills as reviewers of manuscripts and expand the pool of qualified peer reviewers for Neuro-Oncology. The program will also offer an introduction to the journal’s production and post-publication activities. The broader goal of the program is to increase exposure to, involvement in, and commitment to the journal peer-review process, ethical considerations, editing, and publishing of medical research manuscripts among early-stage researchers.
This program is tailored to early-career faculty members interested in pursuing an editorial role in scientific publishing who will be mentored by a journal Associate Editor or Editorial Board member. Included in the program will also be two virtual training sessions to review the scientific publishing process and discuss the characteristics of a structured peer review. A third training session will consist of an in-person mentoring session at the annual SNO meeting in 2023 that will involve small breakout groups to discuss mock reviews. Following the completion of the three sessions, scholars will be paired with an assigned editorial member to conduct real-time co-reviews of at least two manuscripts with feedback provided by mentors.
Upon completion of this program, our educational goal is that participants will have an improved understanding of the publishing process and be able to complete a quality peer review. Specifically, the program will address:
The various roles of editor, reviewer, and publisher to gain a broad understanding of the scientific publishing process
An overview of editorial procedures and training on the peer- review system and software
The characteristics of well-conducted research with respect to communication style, design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation that are critical aspects of critiquing manuscripts being considered for publication
This program will be offered to junior faculty (within 7 years of first appointment) from pediatric and adult neuro-oncology in clinical, basic, or translational science areas and any associated discipline. This program will be conducted consistent with SNO’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups in science and medicine are strongly encouraged to submit applications.
Steering Committee
Roy Strowd- SNO Career Development and Training Committee representative and AAN liaison
Macarena de la Fuente- SNO Women and Diversity Committee representative
Elizabeth Gerstner- SNO Young Investigator Committee representative
Minesh Mehta- Associate Editor for Neuro-Oncology
David Schiff- Associate Editor for Neuro-Oncology
Monika Hegi- Associate Editor for Neuro-Oncology
Jill Barnholtz-Sloan- Associate Editor for Neuro-Oncology
Burt Nabors- Editorial Board Member for Neuro-Oncology
Elizabeth Martinson- Managing Editor for Neuro-Oncology
Susan Chang- Editor-in-Chief for Neuro-Oncology
This program is a perfect example of leveraging the expertise and commitment of Editorial Board members and committee leaders to fulfil SNO’s mission to advance multi-disciplinary brain tumor research, education, and collaboration to drive discovery and improve patient care. Representatives of the Steering Committee are listed below, and we are grateful for their contributions as well as the Board members who are willing to serve as mentors in the program.
The application form is available at this link (deadline March 31, 2023): https://www.soc-neuro-onc.org/WEB/About_Content/News_Pages/Editorial_Scholars_Program.aspx