A Living Reference Work (LRW) that Addresses the Pressing Issue of SDG 6
The role of Editor is demanding to say the least. It requires juggling many balls at the same time and that’s before you take into account the day job! In this series we interview various EiCs/Editors who work on MRWs and Handbooks to get an insight into their role of being at the helm of such voluminous titles that require enormous effort and take years to compile.
In this post, Walter Leal discusses water issues, and how this volume does its bit in helping to address the pressing issue of United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
Please give us some background on yourself?
I work on matters relating to sustainable development, and water issues are a key part of sustainability efforts. The global problems faced with water shortages around the world means that this publication is timely and on point. This is especially so, since it documents various approaches and methods related to the management of water resources.
What makes reference works unique?
This reference work combines the theory and practice of water resources management, access and equality, from a sustainable development perspective. It reports on the works of in excess of 100 authors from across the world, who share their know-how and experiences within this volume. As the world struggles to seek solutions for the many problems related to water availability and quality, Clean Water and Sanitation provides a welcome addition to the literature within this discipline.
Describe a typical day as an Editor-in-Chief?
The work is very diversified and entails a variety of tasks, from the design of the volume, to corresponding with authors, text selections and editing. A typical day also involves promoting the volume, checking abstracts and undertaking quality control of the submitted materials, as well as liaising with editorial staff.
What are the most challenging tasks of the role and how do you tackle them?
A major challenge is identifying and recruiting authors who may provide good content. Also, the coordination work is very intensive. Both are tackled by frequent communication and interactions with authors and the editorial team.
How do you work with Springer Nature within the role?
We are in frequent contact about how the volume progresses. This includes exchanges in relation to progress in the reviews of the many papers, discussions on matters related to the quality of the materials, and strategies to promote the LRW. In addition, we are frequently in touch about the schedule and about individual needs from specific authors, also supporting them from an editorial perspective in the best way we can.
Professor Walter Leal holds the Chairs of Climate Change Management at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), and Environment and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). He directs the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainability Development and Climate Change Management". His main research interests are in the fields of sustainable development and climate change, also including aspects of climate change and health.
