2017 - All Press Releases

Sir Philip Campbell to move to newly created role within Springer Nature

New Editor-in-Chief for Nature is being sought 

London, 13 December 2017

After 22 years as Editor-in-Chief of Nature, Sir Philip Campbell will move to a new role as Editor-in-Chief of Springer Nature in the summer of 2018 and continue to lead the Springer Nature Editorial Advisory Group and maintain responsibility for editorial policies across Springer Nature. Recruitment for a new Editor-in-Chief for Nature and Nature Research is underway.

During his time at Nature, Sir Philip has been responsible for numerous developments including ensuring Nature has a voice in important research community discussions across the globe; driving efforts to improve reproducibility in the Nature-branded journals and in publishing more broadly; stimulating the development of the Nature-branded research journal portfolio and the journals themselves; developing and steering a prize to recognise excellence in scientific mentoring in different countries, now in its fourteenth year; and overseeing the famed publication of the draft sequence of the human genome in 2001.  Following the merger in 2015 to form Springer Nature, Sir Philip has also been responsible for the foundation and delivery of the Springer Nature Editorial Advisory Group, which oversees and creates editorial policies and standards across the organisation.

Steven Inchcoombe, Chief Publishing Officer of Springer Nature, commented: “Phil has been an exceptional leader of Nature and ambassador for the research community over the past 22 years. He will leave behind a strong legacy and his presence as Editor-in-Chief will undoubtedly be sorely missed by both staff inside the organisation and the broader external community.  Editors-in-Chief of Nature are few and far between, with only seven in the journal’s 148 year history, which indicates the significance of and prestige associated with the role."

Sir Philip commented: “Working as the Editor-in-Chief of Nature has been the most extraordinary privilege.  It is with some sadness that I move on from a position that allowed me to engage with researchers, funders, policy-makers and others for the good of science, as well as to work with an array of talented editors, journalists and others to produce a publication of such renown.  I am, however, delighted that I will continue to work with these vital communities going forward in my new role for Springer Nature, one which I hope will support the organisation’s ongoing aspiration to be the world’s most progressive and trusted publisher.”

Springer Nature has initiated a search for a new Editor in Chief of Nature and Nature Research which is a prestigious role within the organisation, working with world-leading researchers, institutions, funders and policy makers. The new candidate will be responsible for shaping the direction of this internationally acclaimed journal.

Alice Henchley
Communications Director, Nature Research
+44 (0) 20 7843 4562
a.henchley@nature.com

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About the Editor-in-Chief of Nature role

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Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading, international weekly journal of science. Nature Research also publishes a range of Nature branded subscription journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, other open access journals including Scientific Reports, and a range of Nature Partner Journals published in partnership with institutions and societies. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.

Online, nature.com provides over nine million unique visitors per month with Nature Research content, including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board, Naturejobs. Nature Research also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training and expert language and editing services. For more information, please visit nature.com and follow @nresearchnews. Nature Research is part of Springer Nature.

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