AGU Names Six New Editors-in-Chief
Six outgoing editors-in-chief are succeeded by new appointees beginning their terms in 2027, according to AGU Publications.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People
AGU Publications has appointed six new Editors-in-Chief to begin in 2027. They succeed editors whose terms conclude in 2026, spanning AGU Books, Community Science, JAMES, and several Journal of Geophysical Research and Water Resources Research titles.
Why it matters
The appointments determine leadership of several major AGU journals and book and community science programs for the coming years. The search process, managed by journal-specific committees and an open call, reflects the governance structure that shapes editorial direction.
AGU Publications named six new Editors-in-Chief, replacing six outgoing editors whose terms run from 2020 or 2021 through 2026. The extraction does not include the names of the incoming appointees.
The players
AGU Publications
AGU Publications is the publishing arm of the American Geophysical Union, responsible for its journals and books across the Earth and space sciences.
Kate Lajtha
Kate Lajtha is an ecosystem ecologist at Oregon State University who edited AGU Books from 2020 to 2026.
Julia K. Parrish
Julia K. Parrish is a University of Washington seabird ecologist who led the Community Science and Community Science Exchange journal from 2022 to 2026.
Stephen Griffies
Stephen Griffies is an oceanographer and climate modeler affiliated with Sorbonne Université and CNRS who led the JAMES journal from 2021 to 2026.
The details
Outgoing editors include Kate Lajtha of Oregon State University (AGU Books, 2020-2026), Julia K. Parrish of the University of Washington (Community Science, 2022-2026), and Stephen Griffies of Sorbonne Université/CNRS (JAMES, 2021-2026). Other outgoing editors served JGR: Biogeosciences, JGR: Oceans, and Water Resources Research through 2026. Searches run through an open call, with journal-specific Search Committees making recommendations to the Publications Committee, which forwards final picks for reputation review by Board, Council, Leadership Development/Governance Committee, and staff leaders.
Timeline
2020-2026: Kate Lajtha serves as Editor-in-Chief of AGU Books.
2021-2026: Several outgoing editors complete their terms.
2027: Six new Editors-in-Chief begin their terms.
Governance Pipeline
The appointments follow AGU's established governance process, in which journal-specific Search Committees recommend candidates to the Publications Committee for reputation review by Board, Council, and staff leaders. The succession keeps that multi-tier review structure intact across six journals and programs at once.
Researchers submitting to or reviewing for these AGU journals will see new editorial leadership beginning in 2027. The transition may shape which manuscripts are prioritized and how editorial policies evolve.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at major scientific journals signal shifts in editorial priorities that can influence which research gets published. Following who fills these roles offers insight into the direction of Earth and space science publishing.
Further reading
For more on the leaders shaping scientific publishing, explore the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eos.
