The guest editors shaping collections

Author: Siobhan Bates

Guest editing isn’t just about selecting papers—it’s about shaping conversations. At Springer Nature, our guest editors, help define the scope, invite relevant contributors, and promote collection content across their networks. Yet their work often happens behind the scenes.

We want to change that. In our new video series, we pull back the curtain to showcase guest editor voices, stories, and the value they bring—not just to the collection, but to the wider research community.

In the first episode, two early career researchers and guest editors, Carlton J. Fong and Christopher S. Rozek, share the story behind their collection—from the initial spark of an idea to the challenges they overcame, and the impact their collection will have on the field.

Whether you're an author, a potential guest editor, or simply curious about how article collections are made, this series is for you.

In this video interview, Fong and Rozek reflect on the highs and the hurdles they experienced when curating their collection: Perspectives on Current and Future Directions in School Belonging Research, from the hybrid Springer journal, Educational Psychology Review.

Curating collections that advance scholarship and nurture a sense of community

Both guest editors, Fong and Rozek, are early career researchers. Fong is an Associate Professor at the College of Education at Texas State University, while Rozek serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Washington University in St. Louis.

Motivated by a bold and inclusive vision, Fong and Rozek set out to create a welcoming hub where diverse voices and ideas on school belonging could converge. Their commitment to this field—which explores how students experience acceptance, respect, inclusion, and support—demonstrates the powerful role guest editors and contributors can play in shaping the future of educational research.

By prioritizing collaboration and inclusivity, they have developed a resource that not only advances academic scholarship but also nurtures a sense of community among researchers and educators.

Their pioneering collection brings together fresh research on school belonging across educational stages, from primary to post-secondary. It draws on insights from educational, developmental, and cultural psychology, as well as other disciplines.

Through this rich tapestry of perspectives, Fong and Rozek have created a truly inclusive resource—one that deepens understanding in the field and encourages others to innovate and collaborate across boundaries.

What you’ll learn from the video interview

In this first episode, our guest editors reflect on:

• The aims and scope of their collection and why the topic is timely
• The challenges they faced launching their collection
• How they developed the theme and curated contributions
• What they enjoy most about being a guest editor
• Their insights offer a rare glimpse into the editorial journey and show just how much care and expertise goes into every collection we publish

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Ready to explore more? Visit our new Springer Nature collections hub to learn more and discover how you can get involved.

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