Need a grant proposal edited or a journal article formatted and submitted electronically? Or maybe you’ve been considering a class in English as a second language?
The School of Medicine now has a one-stop shop for professional editing and communications training, called Academic Publishing Services (APS).
As the managing editor of the American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism, Karen Dodson saw the need for communication and pub-lishing services at the School of Medicine.
“Some of the journal’s manuscripts went through several revisions because they were not well written, even though the science was solid,” said Dodson, who is now the director of APS. “The reviewers would often take the time to edit the manuscripts for grammar and punctuation, which is very generous. I figured that there must be a better way.”
After polling medical school faculty, Dodson found a need for an editorial service to assist manuscript authors before submiting their work for publication. The poll also suggested a need for editorial assistance with grant applications.
“Certain issues came up over and over, and the most popular one was that assistance was needed for our non-native speakers, as well as for those whose busy schedules don’t give them adequate time to write and submit their manuscripts online because formatting requirements vary from journal to journal,” Dodson said.
“Many also felt that it would be important to offer workshops and classes so that in addition to doing the work for our clients, we were also teaching them how to do it.”
Using her knowledge and experience as a former manager in the journals division of Mosby Publishing and as the former publications director for the University’s Office of Medical Public Affairs, Dodson sought the advice of others in the publishing profession.
She talked to then-medical school Dean William A. Peck, M.D., now the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Medicine, and surveyed department heads. Many supported the idea, including Timothy J. Eberlein, M.D., the Bixby Professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery and director of the Siteman Cancer Center.
“I think this service can be very helpful to young faculty and staff in learning the ‘correct’ way to author a manuscript or grant,” Eberlein said. “Learning the correct way will avoid the usual trial-and-error methods that many of us used during our careers.”
Since its launch in April 2003, APS has offered special workshops on basic writing skills and grant proposals, as well as classes for non-native speakers through a special partnership with the University’s English Language Programs.
English Language Programs Director Rosa Brefeld said she received numerous requests for classes and private tutorials from prospective students and from medical faculty members before APS launched these services.
APS is also working with Steven M. Ehrlich, Ph.D., associate dean for undergraduate and special programs at University College in Arts & Sciences, to offer other classes, including one that will begin this fall on manuscript preparation.
“We’ve had tremendous support from the Hilltop Campus,” Dodson said. “Everyone is eager to help. And it’s amazing how many resources there are to help authors, including professional societies such as the Council of Science Editors, and freelance writers who have advanced degrees in the biomedical sciences.”
Beginning April 21, APS will repeat the workshop series, “Strategies for Successful Grant Proposals,” which was initially offered by the Academic Women’s Network.
APS is guided by an advisory board that includes two clinical and two preclinical department heads and other key faculty members and school administrators.
The APS office is located on the first floor of the Bernard Becker Medical Library.
For more information about APS, including a schedule of classes and workshops, go online to aps.wustl.edu.