Abstract
We hope everybody had a good summer break (or winter for some) and are now getting back to some normality at work. Despite a challenging year for all, the field of research and education in laboratory animals continued to grow, as reflected by the increase of our Impact Factor to 2.47 (an increase of 40% over 2019). This placed the Journal in the top quartile of Zoology and Veterinary Science Journal. Although metrics achievement may be considered differently, it is important to recognize that our Journal is growing, and more importantly, you, as authors and readers, value the quality of the published work. This is all credit to the extraordinary professionals working in the field of animal research and welfare. Despite facing many challenges due to the pandemic, the community continuously worked together to ensure the care and the welfare of laboratory animals, while supporting global health efforts. We continued to receive a large number of submissions (up to ∼300 manuscripts) which reflects the strength and commitment of our animal science community. Yet another pivotal part of our scientific work is owed to the amazing work of our dedicated reviewers and our excellent panel of section editors. This team effort is the strength of our success, an enthusiastic and committed relentless group of professional working together to improve the quality and impact of laboratory animal research and importantly, the care and welfare of laboratory animals.
With this in mind, the editorial team has welcomed new section editors who have joined the team to reinforce and support various sections with their expertise. We are grateful for their support, which will strengthen the timing and quality of our peer-reviewing process, as we gather further expertise in areas like training and education, the use of alternatives, animal models, and systematic reviews among others.
In addition, we would like to express our commitment to strive for a diverse and gender-balanced editorial board, particularly with the idea of promoting further equity and inclusion from experts across the globe. Diversity remains at the centre of our work, and in fact, we are exposed to a large variety of beings, and this is what makes our work challenging yet extremely exciting. Working with so many species, being exposed to such variety of physiological challenges, cognitive perceptions or cohort behaviours enriches our knowledge and thrives our improvements in welfare and care practices. This must also be reflected in our human force, particularly when there is such a valuable strength of multicultural and interdisciplinary expertise. To facilitate this, the editorial team has proactively sought to publish high-quality research from authors and include editors from regions that have been underrepresented in our journal. For example, we are very excited that new section editors have joined the team from across the globe, including Brasil, Israel and India. Only by diversifying our work, building up a broader multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, equitable and inclusive team, we may be able to engage globally across all colleagues working in animal research and engaged with the 3Rs. Furthermore, we will also welcome editorials from colleagues around the globe, to reflect on their challenges and how our community could engage further. Our differences remain our main resource for impact and creativity, and the journal provides an excellent dissemination platform. This may bring exciting avenues for new topics on training and education, 3Rs engagement and/or work with less common species. This more diverse expert participation will be crucial to globally commit to best animal welfare and quality of preclinical research. Thus, expanding participation and transparency of communications will remain a key priority for the editorial team.
As always, we would welcome any comments or suggestions on how best we can move forward together, as a diverse and inclusive “together”. The editorial board will meet this autumn, and we hope that we can discuss further initiatives to strengthen our commitment to a global engagement.