Geographies of the global co-editor network in oncology

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 17;17(3):e0265652. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265652. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The co-editor networks of academic journals are generally examined at the journal level. This paper investigates the geographies of the global co-editor network in oncology through the lens of cities. After using different network methods to analyze the global co-editor network, we found that the network can be characterized by a core-periphery structure. The dense core is occupied by many highly interconnected cities, whereas the periphery contains many cities maintaining loose connections with the core cities. The core shows an asymmetric dual sub-core structure. The greater sub-core is constituted by Northern American cities with New York, Washington DC, Boston, Houston, and Los Angeles in the center, whereas the smaller sub-core is formed by Asian cities and centered on Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka, Beijing, and Shanghai. The European core cities do not form a well-outlined sub-core but produce a ringlike shape around the Northern American core. This structure of the co-editor network is a consequence of the prestige effect still characterizing global science. Many European and Chinese journals tend to employ Northern American editors (US-based editors in the first place) to help increase the reputation of the journal. However, US-based journals are more interested in recruiting American editors from the top-ranked national cancer centers and universities rather than outside of the country.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Beijing
  • China
  • Cities
  • Geography
  • Medical Oncology*
  • United States

Grants and funding

Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA K-129207) BL The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.