In a recent article for University Affairs, Émilie Paquin and Suzanne Beth discuss the factors that lead to a “happy” scholarly journal. Drawing on recent studies, Paquin and Beth identify three common characteristics of journals that are satisfied with their situations: Significant institutional support, no issues finding qualified peer reviewers, and feeling up to date on current issues in the publishing field. Those that are “unhappy” experience a lack of institutional recognition; out-of-touch grant policies; a feeling of a lack of understanding; and team and resource burnout. “[A] journal is happiest when it exists within a network of forces that feeds and supports the publication, rather than pressuring them,” write the authors.
University Affairs
