The Texas Water Journal, a new academic journal hosted by the TDL Electronic Press, published its inaugural issue in September.
The Texas Digital Library (TDL) is excited to welcome the Texas Water Journal, a new research journal affiliated with the Texas Water Resources Institute at Texas A&M University, to the TDL Electronic Press. The journal published its inaugural issue in late September. It provides in-depth analysis of Texas water resources management and policy issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
The journal is hosted by the Texas Digital Library and managed using Open Journal Systems, the online journal management tool used by the TDL.
According to managing editor Kathy Wythe, the Texas Water Journal opted to host the journal with the TDL because of the resources and stability that it afforded.
“We knew that the professional technical resources available through the TDL would be beneficial to us,” Wythe said. “We also felt it was important to associate the journal with an organization that could ensure the sustainability of the journal for years to come.”
Articles in the Texas Water Journal are freely available and provide practical information on important water issues. “It’s not a typical academic journal,” Wythe said. “While it is peer-reviewed, the journal focuses on current, real-world issues facing policy-makers and others in the state.”
Wythe is communications manager for the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), which is providing editorial support and management for the Texas Water Journal. Dr. Todd Votteler, executive manager of intergovernmental relations and policy for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, serves as editor-in-chief for the journal. Dr. Ralph Wurbs, TWRI associate director for engineering, and Kathy A. Alexander also serve on the editorial board.
According to Wythe, the Texas Water Journal posts articles in small batches as they complete the editorial process, in order to make new research available as quickly as possible.
“Releasing articles as they are completed prevents a lag in publication and takes full advantage of the benefits of online publication,” Wythe said.
The current issue of the Texas Water Journal features three articles, including works related to climate change, water desalination, and water availability modeling. The journal is considering future issues on special topics.
The Texas Water Journal is available at http://journals.tdl.org/twj. For more information, contact Kathy Wythe, Managing Editor, at 979-845-1862 or kwythe@tamu.edu.