The Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS) is a professional organization that awards credentials to exemplary manuscript editors in the life sciences (e.g., medicine, biology, agriculture).
[Berman, S.K., & Aiello, S. (2007). Professional organization profile: Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). AMWA Journal, 22(4), 192-193.][International Academy of Nursing Editors (INANE). (2011). Professional organizations: Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). Retrieved from ][Moore, M. (2006). Teaming up with a medical writer: Tips for finding well-qualified candidates. Retrieved from ][Salisbury, J. (2005). Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS): First notice of BELS exam to be held in Melbourne in October 2005. The Fine Print, 1, x-xi.] Here, the term "manuscript editor" refers to both
authors' editors and editors employed by academic publishers (often called
copy editors or
editor-in-chief
An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies. The editor-in-chief heads all departments of the organization and is held accoun ...
). Individuals who demonstrate excellence in editing and an understanding of the ethical principles of publishing—both of which are assessed through a certification exam—are awarded the title ''Editor in the Life Sciences'' and may use the initials ''ELS'' after their names.
[Day, R.A., & Gastel, B. (2006). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (6th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.][Phillips, K.F. (1993). The BELS program: Certification for manuscript editors in the life sciences. AMWA Journal, 8(2), 56-58.] BELS also allows use of its electronic badge by BELS-certified editors (those who have passed its certification examinations).
BELS was founded in 1991
and offers certification examinations several times each year at various locations across the United States and in other countries.
In 2020, the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences also began offering the examination via
Prometric
Prometric, also known as Prometric Testing, is an American test administration company. The corporate headquarters are located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The company manages a network of test centers, with thousands of sites in 160 ...
, a global testing service provider. The exam is available quarterly each year, with the option to test at a Prometric site or via remote assessment. Once certified and as a member in good standing, BELS members can access other members' contact information, job openings, and links to similar editorial associations through the BELS website.
[Wang, L. (2001). Net results: Help by association. Science Editor, 24(1), 12-13.] All organizational functions of BELS are performed by volunteers among its members.
[Grossblatt, N., & Reitt, B.B. (2001). BELS: The first 10 years. Science Editor, 24(20), 39-42.]
Credentials offered
Editor in the Life Sciences
Those wishing to attain the BELS certification (ELS) credential are required to pass a certification examination.
To be eligible to sit for the exam, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and must have at least 2 years of experience as a manuscript editor in the life sciences.
[Pike, R. (2005). On becoming a certified editor. The Fine Print, 2, 26-28.] Registration for the certification exam requires candidates to submit a resume, an application fee, and three letters of reference from professionals who can attest to the candidate's experience as manuscript editor.
Most applicants hold degrees in physical or life sciences, English, or journalism.
The 3-hour exam consists of 105 multiple-choice questions.
[Pownall, M. (2008). Member musings: Out of focus. AMWA Journal, 23(3), 151.] Daily work as an editor is the best preparation for the exam, but BELS also offers a Study Guide that gives a list of references that might be helpful.
Diplomate Editor in the Life Sciences
ELS-certified editors may apply for diplomate status, ELS(D), by submitting a portfolio of edited material and documenting at least 6 years of experience as a manuscript editor in the life sciences.
A person whose portfolio passes detailed review and evaluation is deemed a Diplomate Editor in the Life Sciences, ELS(D).
Honored Editor in the Life Sciences
BELS grants the title of Honored Editor in the Life Sciences, ELS(H), to distinguished editors of its choosing. Those with this status may use the credential ELS(H).
History
The concept of BELS was formulated in the early 1980s, and the organization was founded on January 23, 1991, in Maryland.
[TC Library. (2011). Board of Editors in the Life Sciences. Retrieved from http://tc.eserver.org/12985.html ] Charter members were Martha Brookes, Gillian Brown, Gil Croome, Susan Eastwood, Norman Grossblatt, Carol Kakalec Kohn, Walter Pagel, Frances Porcher, Barbara Reitt, and Martha Tacker.
The first BELS exam was held on May 4, 1991, in Denver, CO. Twenty-three candidates attempted certification and 14 passed the exam.
In 1992, BELS hosted its first annual meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, which a majority of the membership attended.
The first BELS exam conducted in Australia was held in 2001; 3 of 5 candidates passed.
By 2005, the BELS membership included 13 Australians.
In November 2008, BELS offered two exams in India. All applicants held degrees in science, and about two-thirds passed the exam, a pass rate similar to that in the U.S. at the time.
[Appiah, B. (2009). Science editing at an Indian firm: Perspectives of two U.S. visitors. Science Editor, 32(4), 118-119.]
BELS initiated a newsletter, the ''BELS Newsletter'' (later known simply as the ''BELS Letter''), in the spring of 1993, distributing it to members and related organizations.
Membership growth
A total of 33 editors were certified in the life sciences in 1991, the first year in which the organization offered the exam.
By April 2001, BELS had more than 300 members, and a total of 51 scheduled exams had been held.
By July 2006, BELS membership had reached 550,
and by 2007, the number of editors holding the ''ELS'' credential had increased to almost 700.
By 2011, there were about 1,000 BELS-certified editors worldwide.
[Melcher, T.M. (2011). The Board of Editors in the Life Sciences Certification: An interview with BELS president Susan E. Aiello. Science Editor, 34(4), e13. Retrieved from http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/files/scienceeditor/v34n4pe13.pdf] As of July 2022, more than 1,600 BELS-certified editors can be found in the U.S. and 36 other countries.
See also
*
ACES: The Society for Editing
*
American Medical Writers Association
The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) is a professional association for medical communicators, with more than 4,000 members in the United States, Canada, and 30 other countries. AMWA is governed by a board of directors composed of the ele ...
*
Committee on Publication Ethics
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to define best practice in the ethics of scholarly publishing and to assist editors and publishers to achieve this.
Mission
COPE educates and sup ...
*
Council of Science Editors
The Council of Science Editors (CSE), formerly the Council of Biology Editors (CBE; 1965–2000) and originally the Conference of Biology Editors (CBE; 1957–1965), is a United States–based nonprofit organization that supports editorial pract ...
*
European Association of Science Editors
The European Association of Science Editors (EASE ) is a non-profit membership organisation for people interested in science communication and editing. Founded in 1982, in France, EASE has an international membership.
Members
EASE has nearly 50 ...
*
Mediterranean Editors and Translators
*
National Association of Science Writers
The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) was created in 1934 by science journalists and reporters. The mission of NASW is "to improve the craft of science journalism and to promote good science reportage". It has been called, "the nation ...
References
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External links
Official Web site
Professional associations based in the United States