Finding an editor

Copernicus Publications has established an innovative online editorial support system, the Copernicus Office Editor, to automate the selection of associate editors and reviewers. This helps to minimize the time that a paper spends in review. Associate editors are selected by the chief editors based on their expertise and on a set of manuscript keywords supplied by the authors at manuscript registration (see journal subject areas). The authors need to choose at least one keyword which most closely describes the paper. If possible an additional second choice should be made.

After submission of a manuscript, the Copernicus Office Editor asks the chief editors to nominate one or more associate editors whose subject areas match the first-choice index terms. As soon as one of them agrees, they are assigned as the associate editor for this submission and receive the complete manuscript. The authors are informed accordingly.

If none of the initially addressed associate editors accepts the task within a few days, the chief editors will nominate one or more associate editors whose subject areas match the second-choice index terms. In case of another unsuccessful nomination, the request is extended to all members of the editorial board.

If none of the editorial board members is available to start the review process, the chief editors are asked to assign the manuscript to one of the associate editors.