SIR Publishing is the publishing unit of the Royal Society. It publishes research, science and technology for the benefit of New Zealand and the international community through:
- refereed scientific journals
- specialist books and bulletins
- conference proceedings
- educational resources
- print and electronic media
The core business of SIR Publishing is the scientific editing and publication of seven quarterly national research journals. Its secondary publishing activities include the Royal Society’s own requirements, specifically the Royal Society’s miscellaneous and bulletin series, and educational resource material.
A book publishing programme includes marketing and distribution of books on a commission basis, which have been produced by other organisations or on their behalf.
The objectives of SIR Publishing are to:
- disseminate scientific and technological information to the New Zealand and international science and technology communities;
- facilitate international links through the sharing and using of new knowledge;
- promote the excellence of New Zealand science through publication of scientific papers in internationally recognised journals;
- popularise and promote science and technology through the publication of information targeted at the general community;
- provide a contract publishing service for specialist technical and educational material;
- develop and maintain an electronic information system for New Zealand science and technology; and
- keep abreast of international advances in information technology as they relate to science and technology publishing.
Research journals
The seven journals published by SIR Publishing are:
- NZ Journal of Agricultural Research
- NZ Journal of Botany
- NZ Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
- NZ Journal of Geology and Geophysics
- NZ Journal of Marine and Freshwater Researh
- NZ Journal of Zoology
- Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research
Publishes papers on all aspects of pastoral science relevant to temperate and subtropical regions. It includes papers on insect pests, fertilisers, soil science, plant pathology, weeds, agricultural economics, forage crops and invertebrates dealing with pastoral and animal production.
New Zealand Journal of Botany
The journal has a regional emphasis on the South Pacific, particularly New Zealand, its surrounding seas and dependent territories, and Antarctica. Topics include biosystematics, bryology and lichenology, ecology, genetics and reproductive biology, mycology and plant pathology, paleobotany, phycology, physiology and biochemistry, structure and development.
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
Publishes on all aspects of production, protection, handling, and processing of crop and horticultural products. It includes papers on agronomy, entomology, plant nutrition, breeding, plant pathology, pomology, postharvest physiology and biotechnology, with a focus on apple and kiwifruit research.
New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics
This is an international journal of Pacific Rim geoscience. It publishes all aspects of the earth sciences applicable to geoscientists whose interests lie within and beyond the circumpacific area.
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
Publishes papers in all fields of fisheries and aquatic science concerning New Zealand, the South Pacific Ocean, and Antarctica, including genetics, limnology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, sedimentology, taxonomy and water quality.
New Zealand Journal of Zoology
Publishes papers on behavioural biology, ecology, entomology, genetics, physiology, and systematics concerning New Zealand and its associated territories.
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Publishes papers from a wide range of disciplines, covering indigenous natural history and environmental sciences including conservation, ecology, evolution, archaeology, paleontology, meteorology, soil sciences, palynology and history of science.
All journals are published quarterly and are abstracted by major international abstracting agencies. They are sold and distributed worldwide via three agencies situated in New Zealand, North America and United Kingdom. The New Zealand office, situated at the Society’s premises in Wellington, has responsibility for maintaining sales and subscriptions throughout New Zealand, Australia, Pacific islands, Papua New Guinea, and Central, Eastern and South East Asia; the North American office (Allen Press) services North, Central and South America, Hawaii and the Caribbean; the United Kingdom office (Eurospan) services United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Journal subscriptions
Approximately one-half of the journal subscriptions are from within New Zealand. This reflects the importance of the journals in publishing the results of regional research. Many of these New Zealand subscribers are individuals or scientists who publish their research in the local journals. By comparison, most overseas sales are to university libraries and other research institutions, particularly in North America. The next most important region for sales is in the countries of Asia and Australia. Fewer journals are sold in the United Kingdom and European countries.
Publications produced during 2000
RSNZ Miscellaneous series:
- MS 53. Research in Science & Technology. Opportunities for collaboration between business, CRIs and tertiary institutions
Other publications:
- Yearbook of the Academy Council of the Royal Society 1999
- Marsden Fund Update newsletter (4 issues)
- Alpha 104 – New Zealand’s alpine fault
- Alpha 105 – Unravelling the links: mitochrondria & Māori migrations
- Alpha 106 – The iron hypothesis
- Alpha 107 – Possums
- Gamma – Arthritis: move it or lose it
- Gamma – Drugs in sport
- Gamma – Genetically modified food II
- Gamma – Gene technology in health
- Gamma – Environmental aspects of genetic engineering
Publications produced during 2001
RSNZ Miscellaneous series:
- MS 58. Planning New Zealand’s science and technology infrastructure.
Other publications:
- Yearbook of the Academy Council of the Royal Society 2000
- Marsden Fund Update newsletter (4 issues)
- Managing protected natural areas for conservation, ecotourism, and indigenous people. Collected papers from the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
- Alpha 108 – Marine biodiversity
- Alpha 109 – Tourism and the environment
- Alpha 110 – Oil and gas
- Alpha 111 – Helen is a seismologist
- Gamma – Genetic engineering off the field
- Gamma – Genetic engineering and ethics
- Gamma – Foot and Mouth disease
- Gamma – The promise of stem cell research
- Gamma – How now mad cow
- Gamma – Food labelling
- Gamma – Organic food
Personnel
SIR Publishing has a small staff of four scientifically qualified Scientific Editors who are responsible for the production of the seven journals through all stages from submission of papers to final publication. The Scientific Editors obtain two independent referee reports for every submission (from within New Zealand and from overseas); assess the suitability of each paper for publication before and after revision; copy edit and proof read papers; and liaise with the printer. Two of the Scientific Editors work off-site (in Hamilton and Upper Hutt) but are on-line to carry out the normal journal management procedures. The electronic journal management system is linked directly to the Royal Society’s membership database. The Scientific Editors are assisted by a full-time Production Editor, who has responsibility for technical production of four of the journals. A full-time typesetter, and two part-time contract typesetters, layout the pages and provide proofs of the journals before printing. All non-journal editing and production is carried out by the same staff.
