Investing in the next generation: The Emerging Minds Journal for Student Research's commitment to student academic publishing
In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, the importance of student research cannot be overstated. It is the crucible where new ideas are forged and the seeds of innovation are sown.
Recognising this, we are thrilled to introduce the Emerging Minds Journal for Student Research (EMJSR), a groundbreaking initiative that celebrates the scholarly endeavours of students and empowers them in the world of academic publishing.
The idea
It all began early this year when one of my level 6 physics students asked me how he could get one of his coursework articles published. At that moment, I realised that students have a wealth of valuable research to offer, yet they often lack the platforms to share their work.
Hence, the idea for the EMJSR was born. Established in July 2023, the journal emerged primarily in response to student feedback, and this is a perfect example of academic action driven by student feedback.
Launching the journal in such a short time was possible not only because of my passion for this enterprise but also because of the support received from the University of Portsmouth’s Enterprise Programme, which awarded me the ‘Ideas Into Action’ award in May 2023.
Our mission
To provide a high-quality, affordable, open-access publishing outlet for students at the University of Portsmouth and around the world who are conducting innovative research projects and coursework in all STEM disciplines. We believe in nurturing the next generation of scholars and offering them the tools to succeed in their academic journeys, and we aim to offer a credible open-access platform where students can take ownership of their research.
The EMJSR is a pioneering student research journal. At the heart of this journal lies a fundamental mission to promote and showcase the diverse research projects undertaken by students at Portsmouth and across the globe. Whether an undergraduate or a postgraduate student, it provides everyone a unique opportunity to have their research work evaluated and shared with a wide audience.
A dedicated team of scholars runs EMJSR. Our editorial board consists of experienced international academics who understand the challenges students face and are committed to guiding them through the publication process.
Current status
Since its inception in July 2023, EMJSR has already made a significant impact on the world of student research. Here are a few of our notable achievements so far:
- We received a total of 14 submissions.
- We published eight articles (as of September 2023) covering topics in physics, cosmology, mathematics and medical sciences, and two more have been accepted at the time of writing.
- The top five most read articles have achieved nearly 400 combined reads.
Next steps
The presence of EMJSR in the University of Portsmouth’s academic ecosystem underscores our commitment to research-driven teaching. By providing a platform for students to disseminate their research findings, the University aligns itself with the core principles of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which emphasises the fusion of research and teaching to deliver an outstanding student experience.
As we look to the future, EMJSR will continue to evolve and expand its offerings to better serve student researchers. We envision the launch of webinars, workshops and mentorship programmes to further solidify the University’s position as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation. As the journal gains popularity, we also hope to open additional student journals dedicated to publishing works in other academic fields besides STEM. Each year, we will offer a ‘Best Paper’ award in the form of an IPI trophy and a £100 Amazon gift card.
Overall, I am thrilled to launch the Emerging Minds Journal for Student Research, a platform that celebrates the remarkable contributions of STEM students to the scientific community.
This journal signifies our commitment at the University of Portsmouth to nurture the next generation of researchers and to provide them with a voice to share their ideas and research.
Author: Dr Melvin Vopson is Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Portsmouth and CEO of the Information Physics Institute, the publisher of the Emerging Minds Journal for Student Research.
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