We caught up with Professor Gene Rankey (University of Kansas, USA) to learn about his research and new position as Editor-in-Chief of the Geological Society’s fully open access journal, Earth Science, Systems and Society (ES3).
Tell us about your current research focus
I started my career in classical sedimentology and stratigraphy. Whereas I still find those fields interesting and important, e.g. for paleoclimate information, subsurface energy, or carbon capture and storage, my focus of late has examined the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape seascapes on atolls and coastal systems, how changing climate and ocean conditions impact them, and how people interact with them.
What inspired you to choose a career in geoscience?
I have always been a nerd, drawn to mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. When the young Gene, who always liked rocks and landscapes, was exposed to the geosciences that integrate all of these topics to understand the history of the planet, its current state, and even its future… how could he study anything else!?
What inspired you to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief for Earth Science, Systems and Society (ES3)?
ES3 is a growing journal with a distinctive scope. At the interface between science and society, the focus of the journal is aligned with my perspective that the geosciences are central to addressing so many challenges today. I saw the EiC position as a great opportunity to serve and amplify the voices of scientists and policy-makers who seek to contribute to the dialog and the solutions.
Are there any emerging areas of Earth science or interdisciplinary research that you’re particularly keen to highlight?
I used to think that scientists and engineers spoke different languages; if true, scientists and policy makers at times seem to be from different planets. Yet, to solve some of the most vexing global challenges, we need to learn not only how to communicate, but to actually go beyond that and work together to address societal concerns. In that context, centered at this Earth science-policy-society interface, the interdisciplinary efforts that ES3 publishes represent a most interesting, and very important, nexus.
How can researchers engage with you and the editorial team beyond submitting articles?
I hope to increase engagement with researchers on both the science and the society/policy sides. Potential authors are welcome to reach out to the editorial team directly to share ideas for papers (send an email to esss@geolsoc.org.uk). The editorial team and I are happy to work with potential authors prior to submission to help them craft the manuscript with greatest likelihood of success and the highest impact once published. Additionally, we need reviewers for the manuscripts we receive, and if researchers have an interest in reviewing, please send your name, position, email, and area(s) of expertise to the email above.
What qualities do you look for in a strong submission?
In short, to call upon some great writers:
- Blaise Pascal: “I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter." Have a story to tell. Document information relevant to that, and cut everything else. Make the basis for interpretations explicit and clear.
- Kurt Vonnegut: “Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.” Be sure to address the “So What?” question, so a broad range of readers cannot misunderstand why the work is important.
How do you envision ES3 research fostering dialogue between academia, industry, and policy-makers?
I hope that the journal is an important part of the dialog! I encourage authors from each of these three areas to include in their manuscripts discussion of how their findings are relevant to each area – be explicit and clear. Similarly, the range of submissions that ES3 accepts (research papers, review articles, perspectives articles, and viewpoints) provide unique opportunities to stretch from the constraints of a ‘normal’ research paper and explore these linkages in language comprehensible to each group.
If you have any questions about ES3 please get in touch via esss@geolsoc.org.uk or visit the ES3 Lyell Collection page for more information.