Washington, DC – July 29, 2022 - The Science family of journals is delighted to announce two changes in editorial leadership that bolster the journal’s commitments to fostering scientific collaboration, developing policy to improve the rigor of scientific publishing, and to producing highest-quality content.
On 1 August 2022, Valda Vinson – who joined the Science staff over two decades ago, most recently serving as Editor, Research – will become Executive Editor of Science, and Lauren Kmec – involved in content production for the journal since 2005 – will become Science’s Managing Editor.
These promotions follow the departure of Monica Bradford, who served as Executive Editor of Science for over three decades. Bradford oversaw the peer-review and selection of manuscripts and the copyediting and proofreading processes for three Science family journals. She also played a key role in development of Science's website – including its redesign in 2021. Bradford will officially retire in September 2022, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to the journals and colleagues she served.
“Monica Bradford’s departure presented Science with an opportunity to recognize her numerous contributions, which fostered greater scientific collaboration within research and improved journal workflow efficiency,” said Science Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorp. “We want to continue to build momentum in these key areas and, looking ahead, to provide a leadership structure that ensures decision-making in a growing number of areas and dissemination of world-class research can happen in step with the pace of our fast-moving industry.”
As Executive Editor, Dr. Vinson, who joined the Science staff in 1999, will oversee all activities related to peer review and the publication of research. In her past roles at the journal – as Associate Editor, Senior Editor and Deputy Editor – she handled research studies in the areas of structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. Most recently, as Editor, Research, she worked with editorial colleagues in the life sciences to attract important research papers and reviews for publication, while following and leading development of standards to support transparency and reproducibility.
In her new role, Dr. Vinson will continue to work with colleagues on Science’s editorial management team to develop editorial policies. She will also manage four Science family journals.
“Valda Vinson is one of the most accomplished and experienced leaders in scientific publishing,” said Science Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorp. “The Science family and the scientific community have already benefited so much from her judgment and talent, and it is great for us all that will continue for years to come.”
Dr. Vinson will also manage Science’s involvement in initiatives with external publishing industry stakeholders aimed at improving the rigor of scientific publishing.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Valda for most of her career at Science,” said Bill Moran, Publisher of the Science family of journals. “Her passions for science and peer-review throughout her career have earned the trust of the science community and her colleagues, as have her global outreach, insight, relationship building, and knowledge of the scientific research world. I look forward to Valda's continued success in this new role.”
As Science’s Managing Editor, Kmec, who joined the Science staff in 2005, will be the primary administrative officer of the journals, working closely with the journal’s editor-in-chief and its editors on the preparation of budgets, the coordination of contracts and of human resources policies as they impact journal staff, and in managing projects related to changes in editorial policies and information technology. She will also oversee copyediting of journal content and administration of various Science-sponsored prizes for early-career and other researchers.
“Lauren Kmec is highly knowledgeable about all of the administrative aspects of scholarly communication,” said Thorp, “and her leadership will be vital to the success of research and the Science family of journals.”
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