Chemistry Education Research and Practice is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Seery as our new Editor. Michael takes on the editorship from Keith Taber having served CERP as Associate Editor since 2016.
I am really delighted to have been appointed as the new Editor of Chemistry Education Research and Practice. I have long been a fan of the journal, since coming across an article in it at the beginning of my career as a lecturer in chemistry. The discovery that there was a journal dedicated to supporting and promoting best practice in chemistry education was a very pleasant surprise! Since then I have been involved with the journal in various guises, being a member of the advisory board, a guest editor for a special issue on technology in chemistry education, contributing my own articles, and since 2016, being Associate Editor of the journal.
The support of the Education Division mean that CERP is free to access and demonstrates the Society’s commitment to supporting the research into, and practice of, chemistry education. As I take on the role of Editor, it prompts thought about the direction of the journal and where my own focus lies. Discussions with the Associate Editors of the journal – Ajda Kahveci and Scott Lewis – led us to consider some particular aspects that we wish to focus on. These motivations grew out of considering the value of the journal to the reader. First, we intend to continue to grow the capacity of CERP in reviewing the state of our field, so as to be a useful point of reference both for those new to the field as well as those who are experts in it. Second, there is an onus on those of us sharing our work to ensure it is conducted and reported to the highest standards, and the journal will continue the work championed by previous editors in expecting and showcasing the very highest quality in education research methods. And third, CERP is unique in the RSC suite of journals as it is a journal with two audiences – those who are experts in the field, publishing education research – and those who are experts in using outcomes of that research in their practice. The journal then has (at least) two categories of reader, and we will continue to develop strategies to ensure value and use to both researcher and practitioner.
I have no hesitation in stating that taking on the new role is a daunting prospect. The founding editors of the journal, Stephen Breuer and Georgios Tsaparlis, created something really unique and worked hard to grow the journal to the point that it became included in Thomson Reuters Citation databases. They were succeed by Keith Taber, who has left a long legacy of editorials informing on research methods, and grown the journal substantially in its scope and reach. Keith was also a wonderful mentor to me as Editor, and I have learned an enormous amount from him during my term as Associate Editor. CERP is also extraordinarily fortunate in the reviewers who give their time to us – the quality of their reviewers is something that is often commented upon.
Therefore it is with the readers, my editor colleagues, former editors, and reviewers in mind, that I endeavour to work to continue to grow and develop this wonderful journal. I look forward to your submissions!
