We are pleased to announce that our CATE Editorial Fellows, Mallika Sardeshpande, a Research Associate at University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Opeyemi (Yemi) Adeyemi, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Rhodes University, South Africa, will be joining the team for a second year term! As we anticipate the next year working together, we sat down with both Mallika and Yemi to reflect on last year’s work for an interview to discuss how they envision the upcoming year’s goals.
Mallika’s expertise lies in research focused on the intricate relationship between food systems, the environment, and human health. With a portfolio spanning from urban food ecology to indigenous forestry, Mallika is dedicated to translating scientific insights into actionable solutions for communities and policymakers alike.
On the other hand, Yemi’s journey encompasses a combination of academic achievements and practical experiences in forestry and sustainable environmental management. His current research delves into understanding urban foraging practices in African cities, aiming to foster harmonious relationships between people and nature in urban landscapes.
What do you feel were your biggest accomplishments with the CATE journal in the last year?
Mallika: I really enjoyed stewarding diverse pieces of science towards a wide audience. Being an editor allows me not only to leverage a vast network of experts to ensure rigour, but also to contribute my own interests and expertise with all things urban ecology. In a way, stepping into this role has been like exploring a fascinating city, its architecture, hydrology, governance, and so on. It’s been enriching to read about the different facets of urban ecology and the methods and theories they encompass. It broadens my understanding and horizons of how cities work.
Yemi: My greatest accomplishment with CATE was simply being a part of it. Other achievements, such as gaining practical knowledge of how to handle manuscripts and publish them, were only possible because I got the offer to be part of CATE journal. I understand that it may seem strange, but that’s how I feel.
What do you hope to accomplish in the coming year?
Mallika: This year, I am keen to start a conversation on urban rewilding, a contentious but potent idea, through a special issue. Watch this space for a call for articles! Of course, I continue to be committed to publishing most articles that land at my desk. I really believe in giving voice to a diversity of ‘doers’, and CATE is a great space to do so. The variety and quality of articles that come through is commendable, and we endeavour to bring all these valuable experiences to our readers.
Yemi: Firstly, I believe that we can publish up to three issues this coming year, as opposed to the two issues we published last year. Secondly, I would be delighted to make a substantial contribution towards ensuring that our social media platforms are operating efficiently and consistently. The social media is one key platform we can leverage to improve the profile and reputation of CATE journal while achieving a wider spread and impact. Lastly, we are currently working on updating the contents on CATE journal’s website, and this is another project that I am eager to be a part of, with the goal of completion before the end of this coming year.
How do you envision the future of the CATE journal?
Mallika: CATE is a vibrant community of urban practitioners that I’m proud to be part of. I would like to invite more international and Global South voices to this community. As we grow, I would like to reflect on the future of cities, through a range of methods and formats. I think I’ve just had another idea – a CATE community event distilled into a special issue?
Yemi: I envision a future where CATE journal achieves a wider reach, increased relevance and greater impacts on both authors and readers, becoming a top-tier journal in the field of Urban Ecology. Additionally, a future where CATE journal increases its publication frequency to monthly (that is, 12 issues per year). I also see the CATE journal being indexed and abstracted in key databases such as Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), which will enhance its reputation and metrics.
What do you feel are the biggest opportunities with the CATE journal?
Mallika: CATE has a very wide scope, and therefore, the capacity to deal with inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinarity, a valuable attribute that many well-established journals are still grappling with as times change. This, coupled with the journal’s emphatic commitment to rigorous review and fast and free publication provides a great platform for researchers and practitioners to share their work.
Yemi: The CATE journal presents a significant opportunity in that it publishes high-quality research articles without charging any processing or publication fees to the authors. This presents a fantastic opportunity for early career researchers and those from mid-low/low-income countries to disseminate their findings at no cost.
Anything else you would like to add about your time so far or your time forthcoming?
Yemi: Professor Strauss and Dr Romolini have played a crucial role in driving the journal thus far, and they are still actively involved in the process. In this current era, I feel a sense of responsibility to support CATE journal transit to the next level of development, and it would be a significant career achievement for me to see this happen soon. I recognize that this won’t happen overnight, which is why I have made a long-term commitment to the journal. Roles and responsibilities may change, but I will always be a part of this effort.
To learn more about CATE journal, and the work of Mallika and Yemi, visit here.