Abstract
‘JALA celebrates the fact that its diversity is an important and appreciated priority.’
At the beginning of this year, many JALA readers were asked what one thing they liked best about JALA, and the most cited response was its diversity. No doubt, diversity embraces the essence of ALA and the professional specialty of lab automation, and JALA works hard to express this diversity in a number of different ways.
Special issues are one such way. Since 2004, JALA has published 14 special issues on topics ranging from chemical process R&D to programming languages to mammalian cell culture automation. The papers published in JALA special issues are coordinated by guest editors who excel in these scientific specialties. They reach out into their professional networks to recruit impressive slates of authors willing to share details of their latest achievements.
The value of these expert collectives has not gone unnoticed by JALA readers. On a scale of 1–5, with 5 being ‘very’ and 1 being ‘not at all,’ JALA readers rated the interestingness of special issues at 4.47, the usefulness of special issues at 4.30, and the credibility of special issues at 4.42.
JALA authors and manuscript reviewers also reflect the diversity in which our industry thrives. In recent years, JALA has welcomed contributions from hundreds of different scientists in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Likewise, the members of the JALA Editorial Board represent not only geographical diversity (with representatives from France, Germany, Japan, Scotland, United Kingdom, and the United States), but a diversity of perspective (with representatives working in academic, clinical, government, food and agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and other laboratories).
JALA celebrates the fact that its diversity is an important and appreciated priority. To quote author Stephen Covey, ‘An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success.’
Sincerely,
