CPPP Update: Reflecting on the Past 5 Years

By Jennifer Verrill Schurman, PhD, Editor

In the blink of an eye, the time has come to pass the reins of CPPP to the next editor, Dr. Christina Duncan. Over the past 5 years, one of my primary goals was to increase the reach and engagement with CPPP beyond our traditional subscriber base. Using Twitter (@CPPP_APAJournal) has increased communication and awareness, creating infographics has made content more digestible to the consumer, collaborating with APA’s press room has allowed us to highlight work that impacts policy, presenting at EPPN has furthered relationships with pediatric psychologists residing outside of North America, and creation of virtual collections on our website has promoted access to timely content related to COVID and other key topics. Ethics has been another push during my tenure, with the creation of a Special Section Editor for Ethics, intentional inclusion of a manuscript focused on ethics in each issue, and use of iThenticate to identify potential concerns with duplication in the publication process. We have worked to increase the diversity of authors and reviewers, as well as to attend to diversity issues in our manuscripts, and I know these issues will enjoy expanded focus under Dr. Duncan’s leadership. Perhaps most importantly to me personally has been the increasing recognition or the important role and rigor of CPPP, as evidenced by the recent success in having CPPP selected for indexing in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) and Scopus. While we have not yet received our first Impact Factor (IF), being indexed in ESCI is a critical first step that allows regular monitoring and review of CPPP for the purpose of assigning that initial IF. I am excited to see how these initiatives continue to develop over time, as well as to see how the new ideas and energy of Dr. Duncan’s team can help shape CPPP moving into the future. I am certain that you will hear more about her vision in her inaugural editorial in the March 2023 issue of CPPP, so be on the lookout for that!

In closing, I just want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the Society of Pediatric Psychology for believing in and supporting me through my tenure as Editor; to Dr. Jennifer Shroff Pendley for her invaluable and unflagging mentorship; to my Associate Editors – Drs. Beth McQuaid and Meghan McAuliffe Lines – and Special Section for Ethics Editors – Drs. Hobey Davies and Victoria Miller – for their substantial contributions in the form of ideas, time, and effort; to the many Guest Editors who brought their individual expertise and passion to specific issues; to our Editorial Board and reviewers for providing consistently thoughtful and timely feedback, even in the era of COVID; the many authors who have entrusted us with their amazing work; and, finally, our readers, who make all the effort worth it in the end. I feel blessed to have had the chance to work on and grow this journal and look forward to placing it in Dr. Duncan’s very capable hands. Best wishes to all of you in the New Year!