AV整氈窒s future scientists wont have to earn PhDs before they can publish in a reviewed journal, thanks to the team behind the Journal of Undergraduate Science Today at AV整氈窒, aka JUST@ Dal. Editors are currently working on the inaugural publication and plan to holda reception to officially launch the new journal early in the fall term.
Modelled on the highly successful McGill Science Undergraduate Research Journal (mSURJ), JUST@ Dalwill provide a much-needed venue for undergraduate students to hone their science writing skills, witness the editorial review process at work and publish original research articles in a quality academic journal.
Thanks to a dedicated team of students and faculty, along with generous support from a range of funding bodies including the Presidents Office, the AV整氈窒 Science Society, and the Faculty of Science, JUST@ Dalhas gone from an innovative idea to a soon-to-be-published academic journalwith its own website () and a newly recruited team of student editors.
We now have a full editorial board, says Mateo Yorke, JUST@ Dal's managing editor, and we are now accepting abstracts from the undergraduate university population.
The journal began in April 2008, when Mr. Yorke, who with editor-in-chief Tanya Bilsbury, approached Dr. Tim Juckes to be faculty advisor for an undergraduate psychology journal. Assistant editor Mike Wong, who had been planning to establish an undergraduate neuroscience journal, joined,along withfellow neuroscience student Alison Martin (design editor). Over time, the project evolved into a science-wide journal that will showcase undergraduate research and writing at AV整氈窒.
With most of the hard work in establishing the idea for the journal and acquiring funding out of the way, the JUST@ Dalteam are now urging undergraduate students to send in abstracts for articles they would like to see published.
Further information can be found at the website, or by e-mailing just@dal.ca