The Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH): building for the future

Abstract

The challenges of sustainable development are ever more pressing, and the skills, interests and capabilities of the SEGH member are well-placed to continue to make more meaningful contributions to the environment, society and well-being. We reflect on the historical development of the society, its response to the dynamic international research landscape and the great opportunities ahead. In 2018, SEGH implemented a new board structure after 2-3 years of consultation, with approval of a new constitution and a new strategy across the large number of international board members. While regions were represented by M. J. Watts (&) Á O.

SEGH live and beyond

“…For example, ECRs will be involved more prominently in gaining work experience in reviewing and handling EGAH manuscripts alongside experienced editorial board members. All of these activities bear in mind the aspirations of the board set out in 2019 (Watts et al 2019 ) and those of the early career researchers (Humphrey et al 2020 ). Considerable progress has been made despite the COVID-19 crisis, but there is still plenty to do as we approach the 50th anniversary of SEGH.…”

Open Access publishing practice in geochemistry: overview of current state and look to the future

“…Since the end of the 1980s, members of the scholarly community have been making various cases for wider public accessibility to published research, referred to as Open Access (OA) (Suber, 2009). Scientific publishing is currently undergoing a major transition (Lajtha, 2019;Watts et al, 2020), with the change to OA representing a significant shift in the financial models of major publishers, opening up diversity in publishing routes and raising the issue of publishing ethics. It is critically important to ensure that scientists and their institutions do not have to pay more to read and publish papers than they do currently.…”

Editorial: The society for environmental geochemistry and health (SEGH): 50 years and beyond

“… When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al 2019 ) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.…”