Early career researchers can and should play important roles in the scholarly publication processes. But these roles are often hidden, with training sparse, and the policies of journals and publishers are often unclear. We are working to make scholarly publishing more transparent and inclusive for early career researchers.

Current work:

• Consultant and evaluator on “Collaborative Research: Developing Biology Undergraduates’ Scientific Literacy and Identity Through Peer Review of Scientific Manuscripts”, funded by the National Science Foundation. Primarily carrying out research on how participation in a curriculum on peer review, that includes authentic peer review experience, affects science literacy and identity in students.

Previous work:

• Project Manager with the Knowledge Futures Group for Phase I of the DocMaps Framework, working with stakeholders to create the basic plan for a machine-readable, extensible, and discoverable framework for representing and surfacing object-level review and editorial events. See preprint here.

• Setting up the TRANSPOSE collaborative database on journal policies, and publishing an analysis in: Peer review and preprint policies are unclear at most major journals

• Gathering data and advocating for journal policy changes to acknowledge the hidden role of early career researchers in peer review:

  • Co-reviewing and ghostwriting by early-career researchers in the peer review of manuscripts

  • How to bring peer review ghostwriters out of the dark

Data about Early Career Researchers

Research has shown that teams which incorporate diverse perspectives and backgrounds develop unique and novel ways of solving problems. Lightoller works with researchers to develop new strategies and best practices in STEM education and research training to promote and support ever more inclusive and equitable environments.

Lightoller is associated with the Inclusive Environments and Metrics in Biology Education (iEMBER) Network, supported by the National Science Foundation. Gary McDowell is a co-founder of the network, a co-PI on the National Science Foundation award “RCN-UBE: Inclusive Environments and Metrics in Biology Education and Research (iEMBER): Novel Networking Fostering Interdisciplinary Communities and New Research Collaborations“ and is the Steering Committee member responsible for focusing on sustainability of the network. Learn more about iEMBER’s formation here, and see its current work (and how to join!) here.

• See Insights from the iEMBER Network: Our Experience Organizing Inclusive Biology Education Research Events

Lightoller transforms organizations using evidence-based policies regarding early career researchers, and inclusive and equitable environments. By working with organizations to thoughtfully and systematically include early career researchers in their work, Lightoller aims to help them, and the people of their workforce, succeed.

Past clients and testimonials:

• “If you are looking for a highly qualified research scientist, someone who is also knowledgeable about science communication and how to involve earlier career researchers in the process of publishing science, then Gary is a perfect fit for you. Not only is he personable, thoughtful and creative in his consultancy approach, his expertise shines through and strengthens the overall output of the project. I highly recommend Gary McDowell to other organizations who seek to make knowledge creation and dissemination a more inclusive endeavor.”

  Liz Allen

  Director of MarCom and Strategic Development, Annual Reviews.

  PLOS and Nature alum.

• Schwartz Lab, Northwestern University

• Subcontract with Stratos working for American Heart Association