TIPS FOR PUBLISHING IN WESTERN JOURNALS Mark Williams University of Colorado Editor: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

Publishing in Western Journals Why can’t Chinese scientists get published in western Journals? As editor of AAAR, I reject about 90% of manuscripts submitted from China Are there lessons that the Chinese can learn that will help them get published in western journals?

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research has an Impact Factor It is ranked number 2 in the Geography category and number 14 in the Environmental Sciences My comments are based in part from my experience as editor of AAAR. I’m also a scientist. Personal China experiences

OVERVIEW Contrast Chinese and Western cultural approaches to education Step-by-step instructions on how to write a manuscript for western journals

CHINA Major economic force Natural entreprenuership World-class scientific power Science education extensive, rigorous

NOT FULFILLING SCIENTIFIC POTENTIAL Low scientific profile on the world stage Lost opportunities, both scientifically and technologically Missed opportunities to improve economy and quality of life of Chinese citizens

Respected Difficult exams Many hours spent studying Emphasis on rote learning ANCIENT SCHOLARS

Soviet Model Chinese borrowed the rigid Soviet system in the 1950’s Soviet model congealed with China’s traditional value of education (not just political thinking) Traditional education in China, from the Confucious era on, has always been to remove independent thinking Cultural problem!

AUTHORITY vs CREATIVITY Deference to existing authority and major paradigms is a major barrier to scientific breakthrough MM Poo, Nature, 2004

CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE Greater engagement with scientists in the western world Provide a scientific environment that attracts the best and brightess Chinese students to return from the west to China Campbell, Nature, V428, 2004

Modern Research Training in scientific thinking Innovation Priority setting Problem solving Clear communication Creativity

Essential Tension Desire to excel Challenges from colleagues –And STUDENTS! Competition from peers Publish or perish Heart, mind, and soul of scientific inquiry

RAISE QUESTIONS Challenge existing paradigms Challenge hypotheses Challenge concepts Challenge field methods Challenge analytical methods Show how you improve science!

PUBLISHING PAPERS Builds on this tension of challenging existing paradigms Incorporates the Chinese strengths of mathematical sophistication and attention to analytical detail Follows a very prescribed formula that is not taught currently in Chinese schools Emphasis on creativity, new insights