Role of A Section Editor

Summary: Section editors may bring expertise to a journal in a range of fields. The role of section editors may include selecting reviewers, corresponding with authors, and making final decisions on manuscripts in concert with the Editor in Chief.--MW

We know that a chief editor is responsible for all decisions in a journal. Some journals, however, have a number of section editors who might have similar responsibilities. I wonder what their responsibilities are and how they act in parallel with the chief editor. I assume that they do the primary evaluation, choose the reviewers, decide what to be reflected to the authors, and have a role in making the final decision. I would appreciate if you guide me on the role of section editors.

F Farrokhi
Urology Journal
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Usually the journals covering multiple specialties, eg, Physiology and Pharmacology, have respective section editors who carry on the job as you have already specified. Usually they would have the final say on the decision of any paper in their respective subject domains. However, if there are bigger issues involved, eg, conflicts with the policies of the journal or of the professional society publishing the journal, the EIC may play a higher authoritative role.

Looking forward to other views.

SN Sarbadhikari
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I am the section editor for a couple of sections in my journal. The content for these sections are forwarded to me by EIC after initial screening or sometimes after peer review. I am responsible for overall management of these manuscripts after peer review including the 'correspondence with authors', 'comments to authors', 'decision making' and editing. I submit the accepted manuscript to the journal office in the 'ready-to-publish' form. However, all this is done in consultation with EIC and the comments/decision are first forwarded to EIC for approval before these are communicated to the authors so that EIC is in knowledge of every aspect of the process. EIC also contributes to any changes required in the 'comments to authors' or 'finally accepted manuscript'.