Changes for 2007


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The Short course for editors is now being run by Pippa Smart. The next one will take place in Oxford at the end of November. For more details contact Pippa on pippa.smart@googlemail.com

or visit her website www.pspconsulting.org


What people have said about this course:

'An excellent course obviously perfected over the years. Covered everything that I needed.'

'An excellent stimulating course which brought up a lot of issues I had not thought of.'

'Your training sessions have helped me enormously in launching the journal in new directions.'

'Good learning environment - a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere.'

'Excellent for helping define a vision - and for hearing a variety of experiences from people from all over the world...'

'Definitely made me re-evaluate both my role as an editor and where my journal is heading. Even though I've been in the position for some time, it re-ignited the enthusiasm I felt when I first started the job - and gave me more confidence in my own opinion...'

Short course for medical journal editors


The world of medical publishing is facing huge changes - and journals will have to change - or perish. Yet many of those who are expected to provide leadership are full-time scientists and clinicians, and have had little formal training in the craft of editing. This two-day course, now in its tenth year, looks at the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to run a successful publication.

By the end of the course participants will be able to…

  • understand the different roles of editor, owner and publisher,
  • adapt sensible strategies for coping with the changes brought by electronic publishing,
  • use a range of techniques to increase the chances of the journal being read and understood,
  • set up copy flow and reviewing systems that will meet the needs of journal, authors and readers,
  • apply a range of techniques to attract - and keep - high calibre authors,
  • understand and meet ethical responsibilities to a number of different publics,
  • have a clear action plan for the coming year.


Who should - and should not - attend
This course has been designed for those who want to learn how to be a successful medical journal editor. It is particularly suitable for those in the early stages of their careers as an editor. Clinicians and scientists who plan to get involved with medical journals, or editorial staff involved in a supporting role (eg managing editors) will also benefit.

The course is not aimed at meeting the needs of those looking for a course on writing articles for publication, technical editing or peer review/ critical appraisal.


Where and when the course will be held
Thecourse will take place at the Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells from 1pm on Thursday 14 September until 1pm on Saturday 16 September 2006.


What form does the course take
The course is aimed specifically at meeting the needs of part-time editors of specialist journals and will concentrate on group and practical work rather than formal lectures. The number of participants is limited and there will be two full time tutors:

  • Tim Albert, course leader: former editor, author of three books on medical writing, training consultant, education committee member of the Committee on Publication Ethics and former visiting fellow in medical writing at Southampton University.
  • Dr Harvey Marcovitch, course tutor: BMJ associate editor, editor of Black's Medical Dictionary and deputy chairman of the Committee on Publication Ethics; former consultant paediatrician and former editor of Archives of Disease in Childhood.


What the course will cost
The cost of the course is £795 plus VAT per person. This includes all course fees, course materials, meals and two nights' accommodation at the Spa Hotel.

For further information on the content of this course, or to make a booking, contact Pippa Smart on pippa.smart@googlemail.com

Or visit her website: www.pspconsulting.org


'Your course is very important for the editorial world, and I hope that one day we might reach a position where every editor gets some training before beginning his or her work.'

Richard Smith, former editor of the BMJ

Short course for medical journal editors: draft programme

Thursday afternoon

1. Dealing constructively with owners:

  • understanding the fast-changing world of medical journals,
  • having strategies for dealing constructively with owners and publishers,
  • getting to the heart of what being an editor means.

Friday
morning

2. Provide services to your readers:

  • choosing the 'right' balance of contents,
  • understanding how design can influence readership,
  • using professional techniques to improve the likelihood of text being read and understood.

Friday afternoon

3. Attract good quality authors:

  • setting up systems that will aid smooth production and meet current reviewing requirements,
  • having strategies to deal with the current debate on authorship,
  • attracting good authors and dealing sympathetically with them.

Friday evening

Course dinner with guest speaker:
Fiona Godlee, Editor, BMJ

Saturday morning

4. Keep the public's trust:

  • dealing successfully with pressures from a range of outside sources,
  • managing time as an editor,
  • writing and implementing personal action plans.
Participants should bring with them at least one copy of their journal.

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20.07.06



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