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The Launch of Seismica: From Early Career Researchers' Perspective

Description: 

Seismica is a newly developed community-run Diamond Open Access journal for seismology and earthquake science. The idea for Seismica started in late 2020 when Earth Scientists on social media came together in response to steep increases in article processing charges for Gold Open-Access journals. The need for a Diamond Open Access journal and the necessity to share seismology research for broader community benefits was evident. This led to collective action as a handful of early- and mid-career earthquake scientists came together, adopting the common agenda of founding and offering our community a new peer-reviewed journal that would be free to publish and read. This new journal's philosophy was developed through continuous communication among broader community members. Once an Editorial Team was recruited, an all-volunteer board of researchers prepared Seismica for launch within ten months, developing policies and structures for a journal that strives to be accessible, transparent, respectful, credible, and progressive. Seismica opened for submissions in July 2022.

Here we highlight strategies and efforts to improve professional development opportunities for early-career researchers (ECRs) through Seismica and our lessons from this experience. ECRs make up a high share of volunteers in Seismica, and the time they dedicate to this community effort has professional value. Besides regular journal editorial and reviewer duties, ECRs have unique opportunities to gain experience in various stages of ongoing journal development in dedicated operational teams, such as preparing for the journal launch and handling the first set of journal submissions. The wide-ranging group of early-to-mid career researchers involved in Seismica means they have a greater say and stake in the decisions that affect the seismology community, ensuring Seismica adjusts well to the constantly-evolving career pathways and expectations in this field. These activities are all valuable parts of professional development and career advancements that showcase Seismica’s unique contribution to the seismology community.

Session: Collective Impact in Earthquake Science [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/18/2023

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Ezgi Karasözen

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors