I accepted the invitation to be a candidate for editor of the Bulletin out of a sense of duty and obligation to AAPG. For over 40 years AAPG has provided me with opportunities, outlets, venues and a network of contacts that enabled me to grow and mature as a petroleum geologist. I suspect this is true for most everyone reading these campaign materials. I have the time, energy, expertise and experience necessary to do the job.
Here are my thoughts on being considered for editor of the Bulletin:
- The AAPG Bulletin is a first-class scientific journal and the premier outlet in the world for articles on petroleum geology. However, it is not a typical scientific journal. Academics who must publish are the main contributors to and readers of most scientific journals. College professors and scientists in government labs do contribute to and read the Bulletin, but it is written mainly by and for geologists working in the petroleum industry. Because of time constraints and the proprietary nature of their work, most of its readers may not have the opportunity to publish a scientific article in their career other than their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. To be of service to the most AAPG members, the Bulletin must publish articles on both basic and applied research in petroleum geology. The Bulletin should provide information that will help its readers find and develop petroleum resources.
- To maintain the quality of the Bulletin in the future will require the continued dedicated efforts of authors, editors and reviewers. Authors readily seek to publish in the Bulletin. However, to maintain the right mix of articles in the Bulletin, the editor also must reach out to authors. Given the evolving nature of the petroleum business, I believe more articles on operations and development geology are needed, as are collaborations with our engineering colleagues. The elected editor will need to importune potential authors of such articles to submit manuscripts to the Bulletin.
- The editor also must select and work with associate editors who have both the experience and expertise to evaluate the scientific content of manuscripts submitted to the Bulletin and the contacts to identify and recruit appropriate reviewers. Fair and rigorous reviews are the sine qua non of any scientific journal. The editor has the final responsibility for assessing whether or not a manuscript warrants publication in the Bulletin.
The editor’s decisions will impact the scientific standing of the Bulletin, and also the careers and reputations of the authors, associate editors and reviewers involved in the process. I am sure that no incoming editor – whatever their previous experience – is fully aware of the varied demands of the position. It is not a job to be taken lightly or without considerable forethought. I am willing to serve, and if elected I will do everything I can to maintain and improve the quality and reputation of the Bulletin.