Previously on AHP: Ian Nicholson was confirmed as the new editor of the Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences.

We recently asked him to share his thoughts. The result, below, provides an insider’s look at the future of one of the premiere journals in the field. He writes:

I come to the editorship of the Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences in a spirit of respect and appreciation. I first read the Journal as an undergraduate and it was an article in JHBS that inspired my early interest in the history of the behavioral and social sciences. Over the years, my interest in the Journal has only deepened, and I am indebted to my predecessors Robert I. Watson, Barbara Ross, John Burnham, Ray Fancher, and Chris Green for their dedication and commitment in developing the Journal, broadening its appeal, and adapting it to new circumstances. I remain conscious of this distinguished editorial pedigree, and I will do my utmost to further strengthen the Journal’s hard-won reputation as one of the foremost periodicals on the history of the behavioral and social sciences.  

JHBS is an important publication with a loyal and highly knowledgeable readership. I am committed to maintaining the high historiographic standards for which the Journal is known and that our readers have come to expect. I will also be continuing the JHBS practice of publishing timely reviews of significant books in our fields. To this end, I am delighted to welcome Nicole Barenbaum of the University of the South who will be handling book reviews as the Journal’s new Associate Editor. 

The academic and publishing landscape has changed markedly in the 44 years since JHBS first appeared. As Editor, I want to ensure that the Journal remains responsive to new interests and challenges. I plan to continue the trend begun by Chris Green toward greater international coverage and a greater diversity in disciplines covered. I would also like to expand the Journal’s coverage beyond disciplinary history and into topics where the behavioral sciences and society intersect.  Finally, in undertaking the business of the Journal, I intend to draw on the extraordinary wealth of experience and insight that exists among the JHBS readership. I will be very interested to hear from readers and I will welcome your comments and suggestions at nicholson@stu.ca.

Comments are, as usual, more than welcome.