JEADV ‘the fire in their bellies’

Abstract

Derek Freedman

Torello Lotti

At the end of the 1980's, the European Union was in gestation. It comprised only 12 countries; there was no Nice Treaty, and the Euro was a distant aspiration. But, to our generation, it held the prospect of a future of peace, togetherness, and progress. The EADV represented this for our speciality and generated excitement as a vehicle to bring the European ideals into fruition.

Like all things in the Academy's foundation, the concept of a Journal came from Dr. Hans Rothenborg, who foresaw a Journal as an essential pillar of the Academy. His vision was met with enthusiasm at the EADV General Assembly in Lisbon, 1990.¹

To begin the search for a publisher, Derek wrote a tender document. The EADV Executive Committee chose Elsevier.

The importance of the JEADV to the Academy was evidenced by the inclusion of the Editors in the Executive Committee. Derek was appointed Venereology and Managing Editor and the search for a Dermatology Editor began.

Producing a pilot issue in time for the second EADV Congress in Athens, 1991, was considered a priority. Derek, as founding editor, met the deadline and remembers, with immense gratitude, those contributors whose first articles lifted JEADV off the ground.

For the pilot issue, Derek wrote ‘The emphasis will be on clear and concise articles of practical relevance. We do not intend to fill acres of paper: we want the content of this journal to be relevant to the needs of our members and subscribers, to enhance the practice of our specialty throughout Europe, and to promote harmonisation’.²

Around that time, Derek was introduced, by Emiliano Panconesi, to Torello Lotti, a young dermatologist. Torello was a Professor of Dermatology in the University of Siena, lively and energetic. He displayed a spirited interest in the Academy and the forthcoming Journal. He was proposed and accepted as Dermatology Editor and Editor in Chief of the JEADV at the Athens Congress.

Publication commenced with six issues per annum, with a mainly clinical focus. Torello, as Editor in Chief, developed the Dermatology section with the extraordinary support and advice of Diana Panconesi and subsequently Elisabetta Bodri. Derek focused on the Venereology section and administration of the Journal overall and was hugely assisted by Janet McConnell.

The guideline at that time was the same as for the Academy: 80% Dermatology and 20% Venereology. We were delighted with and grateful for the response of the DermatoVenerology community who submitted papers, and the authors who wrote review articles. It was a privilege to be at the helm of a rapidly developing Journal, and to be so involved in the evolution of the Academy.

The newborn JEADV was not initially indexed, and we were very grateful to receive the many papers from our colleagues, who also willingly acted as reviewers. Torello particularly recognizes the support of Prof. Stephen I. Katz, the “Capo dei Capi” of Dermatology in the USA and Worldwide, and Prof. Otto Braun Falco who invited him to lecture in Munich. Many doors opened.

The personal and working relationship between us was excellent. Time was spent together on vacation in Italy or in Ireland with our families, but always working for the Journal and the Academy. We could relax and discuss openly any difficulties facing the EADV and the JEADV, and propose solutions to the Executive Committee.

The JEADV grew steadily over the following years. It became an established platform for cutting edge research and guidelines in Dermatology and Venereology. Securing inclusion into Index Medicus in 1997 was an important milestone. The JEADV was officially on the map, and our submission rate soared.

We served as editors until 2002. During this early growth phase, the Journal's impact factor rose from 0 to 1.02. The JEADV flourished.

We thank our succeeding editors who have brought the Journal to such eminence that it can only accommodate the most important articles. Under Prof Jean-Paul Ortonne's editorship 2002–2012, publication increased to a monthly publication. Prof. Ortonne brought a personal touch to the Journal and the impact factor rose to 3.11 during his tenure. Prof Johannes Ring was Editor in Chief 2013–2023. He pioneered many innovations and personal contributions; Pioneers/Ambassadors in Dermatology and Venereology, Historical Perspectives, Commentaries and Editors Picks, as well as ensuring that the Journal maintained the highest standards and criteria for publication. Prof. Ring expanded the editorial panel with the appointment of Section Editors to deal with the plentiful submissions. Publication in the JEADV became an accolade. The impact factor peaked at 9.2 (consistent Q1).

2024 saw the appointment of Prof Carle Paul, JEADV's present Editor in Chief. Prof. Paul has put his stamp on the Journal with an increase of thematic issues. Under Prof. Paul's editorship, the JEADV has reached the forefront of our speciality, and the impact factor remains consistent at 9.2, achieving Top Tier Q1³.

The JEADV continues to evolve. We applaud the inclusion of current media including social media, podcasts and video content, and the continuance of the JEADV under strict peer review. Graphical abstracts and patient-friendly summaries are now integral components of the publication, making complex scientific literature accessible to a non-specialist audience.

It was a privilege to be so involved with the Academy in its formative years. Today, we look upon the JEADV with pride – even though the V has atrophied. We express our immense gratitude to our editors, past and present, whose hard work and dedication brought our journal to where it is today.

It is a great pleasure for the founding Editors to describe the extraordinary evolution and success of the JEADV. We hope we fulfilled the aspirations of the pilot issue. We look to the future with excitement, enthusiasm, and optimism.

The authors have nothing to report.

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Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.