Summary of the 1st Editorial Committee Meeting of Journal of Palaeogeography in 2014

The 1stEditorial Committee Meeting of theJournal of Palaeogeographyin 2014 was held on March 1st, 2014 at the China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing). Prof. Bao Zhidong, the Associate-Editor-in-Chief of the Editorial Committee, chaired the meeting. Ms. Wang Yuan, the Associate-Editor-in-Chief of the Editorial Office, gave a work report. Prof. Feng Zengzhao, the Editor-in-Chief of the Editorial Committee, gave an important address.

Meeting attendees include: Profs. Feng Zengzhao and Bao Zhidong from China University of Petroleum (Beijing),Profs. Huang Wenhui, Jiang Zaixing, Mei Mingxiang, Shi Xiaoying (represented by Tang Dongjie), Yu Xinghe and Associate Prof. Liu Hao (represented by Wang Yuan), from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Prof. Liu Jianbo and Associate Prof. Huang Baoqi from Peking University, Prof. Shao Longyi from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Profs. Lin Chunming and Hu Xiumian from Nanjing University, Prof. Gong Enpu from Northeast University, Prof. Yan Jiaxin from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), as well as Editorial Office staff, Wang Yuan,Zheng Xiujuan, Liu Min and Hu Xiufang, and Ms. Yang Lei, the Vice Director of Journal Department, China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

Constructive feedback has obtained from domestic and overseas Editorial Committee members: Prof. Fan Daidu, Gong Yiming, Jin Zhenkui, Liu Chunlian, Wu Yasheng, Zhu Xiaomin, Du Yuansheng, Su Dechen, Wang Zhanghua, and Profs.A. J. (Tom) van Loon, Adam D. Woods, Ian D. Somerville, Franz T. Fürsich, Gerhard H. Bachmann, Fotini A. Pomoni,Steve Kershaw, Subir Sarkar, Tadeusz Peryt, Associate Profs. Markus Aretz, Massimo Moretti, and Margaret L. Fraiser.All Editorial Committee members are willing to continuously submit or recommend high quality manuscripts to theJoP.

Work report by Wang Yuan includes mainly the following aspects:

1. Major progress of theJournal of Palaeogeography(JoP) since its launch. 1) Progress in indexing theJoPby SCI database; 2) Progress in establishing the International Society of Palaeogeography (ISP); 3) Cooperation with international publishers.

2. Major problems. 1) Manuscripts. Authorships need to be extended to a broader contributors; 2) Reviewer database.Additional reviewers are needed to reach a highly efficient reviewing process.

In his important address, Prof. Feng Zengzhao mentioned that:

1.JoPcan be published on time with a bit increase of pages and at a high quality of academic level, editing, language and publication. Seven issues in total have been published with an average ratio of international manuscripts (including foreign co-authors) reaching 30%-57%, which depends really on the support of and contributions from the editorial committee members.

2. Issue 3 for 2014 is not ready yet but the situation is much better than the same period in 2013 when we finished ‘this meal’, but worried about the ‘next meal’.

3. Chinese domestic members have changed slightly with three members resigning from their positions and two new members taking over the positions. We hope that all members can continue to take responsibility of writing or recommending manuscripts forJoP. BeforeJoPis indexed by SCI,JoPmanuscripts still rely on members’ contributions. We also sincerely hope that our members can recommend more English-speaking sedimentologists toJoPto serve as editorial committee members.

4. We would like to extend sincere thanks and special appreciation to Profs. A. J. (Tom) van Loon, Ian D. Somerville,Adam D. Woods and Zhong-Qiang Chen for their strongest support forJoP, especially in proof reading of each issue.

5. Three aspects of uncertainty still remain: SCI indexing,JoP-Springer cooperation and establishment of the ISP. We sincerely hope all editorial committee members will make hard effort to achieve these targets one by one and helpJoPjoin in the advanced group of international Geoscience journals.

All attendees discussed these aspects addressed both by Wang Yuan and Prof. Feng Zengzhao and agreed that members should commit to contribute high quality manuscripts toJoP. Many constructive suggestions were also proposed:1. Manuscript hunting. We can assemble manuscripts through organizing professional conferences or sessions joint with international conferences. The Editorial Committee members and other attendees are invited to submit toJoP. Review papers and cutting-edge science and hot topic articles can be considered with a high priority. 2. International publishing platform. Joint publishingJoPwith international publisher in a suitable cooperation model will promote the journal’s international impact and wide coverage. 3. Long-term disciplinary style and accurate location of JoP.JoPshoud target its disciplinary scope and remain its high quality and format all the time and this will be a long-term process. 4. Propaganda. Digital media such as U disk or CDs containingJoPcontents can be presented to relevant experts and researchers at international professional conferences. 5. Internationalization. Insisting and ensuring a journal internationalization in terms of authorship, reviewing team and concerning contents published papers not only helpsJoPto be indexed by SCI earlier but also attract more high quality manuscripts worldwide.

Prof. Bao Zhidong made a concluding address and extended thanks to all attendees for being there, and to overseas members for sending feedback and constructive suggestions. Finally, a special appreciation was extended to Prof. Shao Longyi (China University of Mining and Technology) who hosted this meeting.

The 2ndJoPEditorial Committee Meeting in 2014 will be held joint with the International Sedimentology Congress in August, 2014 in Geneva.