Welcome to the second installment of our three-part Q&A series, featuring the inspiring members of our Junior Editorial Board at Reviews in Aquaculture! In this edition, we’re delighted to introduce Dr. Koushik Roy. Dr. Roy shares insights into his research on nutrient flows and environmental interactions within aquaculture systems, his role on the Junior Editorial Board, and the importance of early-career researchers contributing to the evolution of scientific publishing.

Can you please tell us a little about yourself, your role and area of expertise/study/publications?

I am a fish nutritionist and freshwater ecologist, with interest in the study of nutrient flows, bioenergetics and environmental interactions of aquaculture systems. My main area of work is freshwater fish and crustaceans, fishponds, Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and aquaponics.

What is an Early Career Researcher board/Junior Editor Board?

An early career research/ junior editorial board member are those who are enroute to finishing their tenure track, or become a chaired scientist or associate professor. In my opinion, Junior Editor Boards learn from the Senior Editors, and how to become aware of one’s field and how it is evolving. 

Can you please tell us a little about your journal and its aims and scope?

Reviews in Aquaculture encompasses reviews from the entire universe of aquaculture. Starting from the farm up to the fork, farmed aquatic animal to the aquatic ecosystem including their diverse life or culture stages, the biotechnological and physiological innovations, the intellectual innovations related to systems engineering, food systems integration, reducing environmental impact, innovations in the feed, vaccines and other additives. There is currently no other journal with such broad spectra and single destination of high quality reviews published in aquaculture domain.

What is the mission of the junior editor board for the journal Reviews in Aquaculture?

First, to assist Senior Editors with the peer review process of finding peer reviewers. Second, to stay vigilant in continuously improving the journal. This can be by proposing special issues, attracting hot or blind spot reviews, or even nominations of new editorial board members for areas that we lack strength.

How did you become a part of the junior editor board for Reviews in Aquaculture?

Personally for me, it was because of Prof. Giovanni M. Turchini and Prof. Albert Tacon, both of who I keenly followed since my graduation days. There was a moment they changed hands, and one of them posted on LinkedIn and the other expressed interest in an webinar called Talk of the Titans, about revamping the editorial board of Reviews in Aquaculture. I guess I was at the right place and right time and  jumped in. It was especially encouraging that the journal had a Junior Editorial Board.

What kind of tasks do you do as a member of the board?

Peer review, PR, scoping for new reviewers to be included in the editorial system, proposing and doing ‘timely’ special issues including virtual compilations.

Why do you think inclusion and engagement with journal boards is important for early career researchers?

It gives a sense that we are doing our part in service to the research community. We have a voice and we get trained how to be fair gatekeepers of science in our field, as we are the future generations learning from the veterans. It is a matter of prestige too.

How does a journal benefit from having early career researcher board members?

I think it brings energy to system. The fresh air, young blood, however you may call it. We have our own generational contemporaries, same-aged peer groups growing scientifically. We make sure that they continue to contribute to the journal. In a way, it is a human resource investment pertaining to authors and reviewers of the future.

What would be your advice for an early career researcher looking to get involved in a journal and it’s editorial board?

I would advise to consider joining when you have plenty of articles behind you already, including having already published in the journal you are considering becoming a board member of so that you are aware of the rigor, standard, and ethical responsibilities involved in such role. It is important not to join a board as a mere token of being an editor in a top-tier journal such as Reviews in Aquaculture.