Dear Colleagues –
I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous new year!
At the same time, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to you for electing me as INFORMS VP (publications).
Some of you asked: What do you do as the INFORMS' VP (publications)? Here is what I have learned.
Based on INFORMS Policies and Procedures Manual Section 13, the VP (pubs) represents the publication program on the INFORMS Board and chairs the publication committee. Each publication is guided by its editor-in-chief and editorial board. Ultimate authority over publications rests with the INFORMS Board. General supervision of publications is delegated to the vice president of publications with the advice of the Publications Committee.
I also learned from the former VP (pubs) Cole Smith (a big shoe to fill as I walk in his shadow), Matt Walls (INFORMS Director of Publications), Elena Gerstmann (INFORMS Executive Director), and all INFORMS Board Members. I shall continue to rely on their guidance and advice as I assume this exciting role with the hope to make a different for our INFORMS members.
Here are the regular responsibilities:
- Manage reviews of all 17 journals every 3 years. In 2023, I will be working with Matt and the INFORMS publication committee (to be updated) to review 3 journals to be conducted by 3 separate committees chaired by the following INFORMS members (with my sincere appreciation):
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EIC review
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Informs analytics collections
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Susan Lu, Purdue
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EIC review
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MSOM
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Erika Plambeck, Stanford U
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EIC review
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Transport Sci
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Rene de Koster
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- Manage the search process of all 17 journals when needed. In 2023, I will be working with Matt and the INFORMS publication committee to search for new EIC for 4 journals to be conducted by 4 separate search committees chaired by the following INFORMS members (with my sincere appreciation):
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EIC search
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MS
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Wally Hopp, Michigan
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EIC search
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OR
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Chung Piaw Teo, Nat. U of Singapore
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EIC search
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Service Science
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Tinglong Dai, Johns Hopkins U
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EIC search
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Tut in OR
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Joe Geunes, IE/OR, Texas A&M
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Formal call for nominations will be announced in due course. Please feel free to nominate candidates to the committee chairs as stated above.
- Review new journal proposal(s) with the publication committee and make recommendations to the INFORMS board members for their consideration.
- Serve as a board member for INFORMS to evaluate various strategic decisions.
- Address issues raised by EICs of different journals.
Besides these regular duties, I hope to be able to find ways to explore and implement some of the initiatives as stated in my vision statement that I am committed to do. Specifically, I will work hard with Matt and everyone at INFORMS to do 3 things:
1. Improving communication among editors, reviewers, and authors in the review process.
<This will take time because I need to get EICs on board. Also, we may start with a journal as a pilot to test some new ideas. I will work with Matt along with the pub committee to get things moving in 2023. >
- Recognizing the efforts of reviewers.
<I have discussed with some EICs and there is something Matt and I can do quickly with the support of various EICs. But some ideas stated in my vision statement may take some time.>
- Developing outreach programs.
<INFORMS has plans for different outreach activities, and I need to see if there is any need for me to get involved. I shall explore.>
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve INFORMS so that we can work together to make INFORMS publications more impactful.
Happy New Year!
Chris Tang
INFORMS VP (pubs)
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Christopher Tang
Professor
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles CA
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