The Journal for Specialists In Group Work

 

Greetings from the New Editor of JSGW
By Sheri Bauman, Ph.D., Editor

 

               On July 1, 2007, I took the reins of the  Journal for Specialists in Group Work  from the capable hands of Don Ward, who has led the journal forward for the past six years. I am grateful for the work of Don and all previous editors, who have shaped the journal since its inception.  I am fortunate to be taking over a journal that is well-respected and established in the field.  My challenge is to uphold the high standards that have been established, and to encourage scholarship, creativity and new directions in the group work literature.

            The most visible change that I have initiated is launching the online manuscript submission and tracking site that will now be used for all aspects of the journal. Having used the system as both author and reviewer of other journals, I was eager to streamline our system and take advantage of the efficiency of online manuscript management. To accomplish this, Lia Falco, editorial assistant, and Chris McCarthy, associate editor and I spent several months working with our publisher’s Manuscript Central expert to get the site ready so that its inauguration would coincide with my official start date as editor. We have now been using the system for several months, and are pleased with how it is working so far. We still are working with manuscripts submitted before the system was launched, so we are in the process of transitioning to complete online functionality. Authors can track the progress of their manuscripts easily, reviewers will have easy access to manuscripts, and the editors will have tons of information at our fingertips. We anticipate that everyone will share our enthusiasm when they have had the chance to work with the system.

            I would like take this opportunity to introduce key personnel for the journal. Chris McCarthy has been invaluable as associate editor, especially with quantitative research manuscripts, and will complete his term in June 2008. Kim Asner-Self began her term as associate editor in July, and brings with her many years of experience as a member of this and other journals’ editorial boards, and an impressive record of publications. I am delighted to have her aboard, and look forward to welcoming another associate editor to replace Chris. Information regarding that search is available on the ASGW website: www.asgw.org.  The new editorial assistant, Lia D. Falco, is a doctoral candidate at the University of Arizona whom I have worked with since she began her master’s program in 2000. She and I have co-authored several papers, including one for JSGW! She is bright and energetic, and I am able to count on her for all aspects of producing the journal.

            I, along with the associate editors and members of the editorial board, strive to help authors craft a manuscript that is worth of publication. Reviewers do not know the identify of the authors of manuscripts they are asked to review. In many cases, careful and thoughtful feedback will be provided and authors will be invited to revise and resubmit their work. In other cases, the paper might be declined but feedback is provided so the author still benefits from the review process, and hopefully can incorporate the insights into future work. We believe that authors appreciate the insights and comments of impartial reviewers. I received an email earlier in the year from the author of a manuscript that had been rejected saying how much he appreciated the specific and thoughtful review he had received.

            The Executive Board of ASGW has recently appointed several new members of the editorial board, whose names are included in this issue. The editorial board is the backbone of the journal. Their careful reviews are critical to the process. Authors are given careful and detailed guidance on how to improve their manuscripts. The members of the editorial board serve without compensation, and the job is demanding and time consuming. I am grateful to the members of the board for the dedication, hard work, and service to the journal

            I am looking forward to the responsibility for ensuring that this journal continues to be a useful and respected source of current and innovative reading in the field of group work. Please participate in the process as an author, a reviewer, or an encourager to colleagues whose work deserves a wider audience.

 

View the current JSGW Editorial Board.

 

Editorial Board

Call for Applications for Board

Journal Archive

Submission Information

Earn CEUs

Instructions for Authors

 

Published by
Taylor & Francis Group

 

Editor : Sheri Bauman, Ph.D.

University of Arizona

P. O. Box 210069

Tucson, AZ
85721-0069

(520) 626-7308

fax: (520) 621-2909

sherib@u.arizona.edu 

 

Associate Editor : Chris McCarthy, Ph.D.

University of Texas - Austin

1 University Station D5800

Austin, TX 78712

chris.mccarthy@mail.utexas.edu
 

Associate Editor: Kimberly Asner-Self, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Educational Psychology and Special Education
Mail Code 4618

Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901
www.siu.edu/departments/coe/epse 

 

Editorial Assistant: Lia Falco

(520) 621-7828

ldf@u.arizona.edu

 

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