Pure and Applied
Chemistry: The Special Topics Project
Prof. James R. Bull (Department of Chemistry, University of Cape
Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; E-mail: [email protected]),
IUPAC Special Topics Editor, has submitted the following article:
Background
The special topics project has its origins in a series of one-of
issues of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PAC) published
during recent years. These issues comprised collections of critical
reviews on aspects of pure and applied chemistry that were deemed
to be of compelling public interest, and were instrumental in broadening
the readership base of the journal and publicizing the role of IUPAC
in interdisciplinary ventures. As a consequence, a decision has been
taken by the Executive Committee to introduce the concept as a regular
feature of PAC. This innovation is intended to find expression
in publication of thematically related collections of papers, as before,
and occasional stand-alone review articles. These features will complement
the traditional role of PAC as a medium for publishing articles
based upon plenary lectures of IUPAC-sponsored events and reports
and recommendations generated by the activities of IUPAC Commissions,
and they are intended to supersede some of those special publication
ventures formerly referred to by terms such as "White Book",
etc.
The publication of a first issue of the journal under this new dispensation
(PAC,
Vol. 72, Nos. 1-2, pp. 1-331, 2000), is devoted to a collection
of short critical reviews and research papers arising from presentations
made at the first IUPAC-sponsored Workshop in the series "New
Directions in Chemistry". This event was conducted at Hong Kong
University on 14-18 July 1999, and the topic "Nanostructured
Materials" offered an ideal model for the special topics initiative,
because it reflects an emerging interdisciplinary branch of science
in which hitherto unimagined new opportunities for future development
and exploitation of molecular structure and properties are under investigation
and in prospect. The resultant exciting mix of current discovery and
future promise perfectly exemplifies the themes that should enjoy
high priority in this new publication venture.
What Is the Purpose of Special Topics?
The concept of special topics should be considered in the context
of the status and future prospects of PAC, and its role in
the global business of scientific publications. The traditional uniqueness
of the journal, as an "official" scientific organ of IUPAC,
through publication of outputs from organizationally sponsored conferences,
and deliberations on nomenclature and symbols, is no longer a guarantee
of widespread obligatory readership in the international scientific
community. The distinctiveness of this role has been diminished by
growth of alternative forms of access to information and review material,
and the inevitable replication of published versions of conference
proceedings or topics accompanying the massive proliferation of review
media. Furthermore, these organizational constraints on publication
policy have hitherto obliged the journal to adopt a reactive role
that competes unfavorably with the more market-sensitive editorial
policies of numerous comparable publications.
Simply expressed, the special topics initiative is designed to introduce
a new dimension of relevance and immediacy into the publication policy
of PAC, and to reflect the responsiveness of IUPAC to the new
challenges facing science in society. At the same time, it will target
opportunities to demonstrate and exemplify the centrality of IUPAC
as an authentic voice of the international community of chemists.
Societal and regional diversity is one of the distinctive characteristics
of the organization, and the special topics project will be guided
by initiatives that reflect and foster this principle.
What Are Special Topics?
The term "special topics" implies something out of the
ordinary but can comprise the publishable output of any legitimate
activity of IUPAC, and reflect any aspect of current and future-directed
chemical sciences. In reality, this initiative merely extends the
current scope of PAC publication policy from the traditional,
reactive role to a more flexible and dynamic approach, in which IUPAC
members and interest groups can propose and undertake projects leading
to publication of feature articles and collections of thematically
related reviews. The concept can certainly be extended to include
collections sometimes referred to as "symposia-in-print",
comprising overviews together with research papers. In all special
topics projects, the essential criteria governing publishability will,
therefore, be peer-review evaluation of scientific merit and aspirations
toward IUPAC "distinctiveness". It is hoped that the application
of these criteria will ensure that PAC occupies a unique and
indispensable place in the ever-proliferating review literature, which
complements those of comparable publications.
How Are Special Topics Projects Initiated and Implemented?
The task of the Special Topics Editor is to seek out and encourage
the formulation of projects leading to publication of special topics,
and to provide the appropriate technical support and liaison to bring
the projects to conclusion.
A proposal for a special issue should first be submitted to the Special
Topics Editor, and should outline the intended scope and coverage
of a theme, together with a draft proposal on prospective authorship
and a target date for publication. Ideally, a project editor (or editors)
should be nominated to take responsibility for ensuring that the appropriate
level of scientific rigor is brought to bear on the content of the
proposed special topic issue.
It is perhaps worth emphasizing that the role of the Special Topics
Editor is essentially that of a facilitator, and in no way usurps
the central function and responsibility of the project editor(s),
whose task it is to ensure that contributions are thematically appropriate
and scientifically rigorous. In practice, this necessitates a central
role for the project editor(s) in advising on referees and refereeing
procedures, and ensuring that manuscripts are appropriately revised.
In addition, the project editor(s) will assume or delegate responsibility
for drafting introductory and/or summary material for incorporation
into the special topic issue, where these are necessary.
The Special Topics Editor's first role in a defined project will
be to establish communications with prospective authors and notify
them of guidelines for manuscript preparation and a timetable for
submission of manuscripts. Manuscripts will be submitted to the Special
Topics Editor, who will implement and coordinate the refereeing process
in close collaboration with the project editor, and liaise with the
IUPAC publications office on communications and Chemistry International,
manuscript management. The Special Topics Editor will also assume
responsibility for ensuring overall consistency in the scientific
standard and style of the issue, in consultation with the various
project participants.
Who Should Participate?
The activities and projects of IUPAC Divisions provide natural outlets
for joint ventures, which may well be candidates for special topic
publications of PAC. Individuals and interest groups serving on IUPAC
bodies are urged to take advantage of opportunities to promote their
areas of specialized interest and expertise through this medium.
In addition, the Special Topics Editor will welcome proposals for
authorship of stand-alone feature articles, intended to capture the
essence of those new and emerging concepts and principles that may
be expected to wield a major influence in the chemical sciences during
the next decade and more. In addition to welcoming nominations for
authorship, the Special Topics Editor will consider topic proposals
submitted directly by would-be authors. These proposals should take
the form of a short outline of the suggested topic, and its perceived
appropriateness as a feature article in PAC. Proposals of this nature
may be subject to peer evaluation, prior to the issue of a formal
invitation to submit a manuscript.