GET INVOLVED

AUTHOR

The author is responsible for writing a neuroscience/psychology-focused article over the course of 6 weeks. Given the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience, we welcome article proposals from a wide variety of perspectives. Our only requirement is that articles pertain to the brain in some form. Suggestions include: neuroethics, neurodegenerative disease, neuroscience in health policy, interesting case studies, etc. An example article outline can be found within the application. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Submit new writing every Tuesday during the writing period. We recommend 200 words (or 1 hour of work) for each submission.

• Update progress sheet every week.

• Communicate with entire article group regularly (at least once a week) via Slack or group message.

• Reach out to EBoard early with any concerns. 

GENERAL EDITOR

​The General Editing division ensures that our articles are well-written and clear to any reader. General editors provide feedback on grammar, word choice, article clarity, organization, and tone. After Authors submit new writing on Tuesday, General editors will have until Thursday night to submit their edits. This position is a great opportunity for those interested in strengthening their editing skills, especially in the field of scientific writing.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Submit edits every Thursday during the writing period. This means reviewing the entire article draft each week. 

• Update progress sheet every week. 

• Communicate with entire article group regularly (at least once a week) via Slack or group message.

• Reach out to EBoard early with any concerns. 

SCIENTIFIC REVIEWER

​​The Scientific Review division maintains the scientific integrity of our publication. Reviewers act as research aides at the beginning of the writing process, and conduct scientific literature searches to support the author’s topic. In the latter half of article production, these individuals will focus on ensuring that scientific concepts are accurately explained. Reviewers will also assist the author with APA citations and bibliography organization. After Authors submit new writing on Tuesday, Scientific Reviewers will have until Thursday night to submit their edits. This position is an opportunity to gain experience reading scientific literature, and would be perfect for someone interested in diving deeper into neuroscience. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Submit edits every Thursday during the writing period. This means reviewing the entire article draft each week. 

• Update progress sheet every week. 

• Communicate with entire article group regularly (at least once a week) via Geneva or group message. 

• Reach out to EBoard early with any concerns. 

LAY REVIEWER

​​​ The Lay Review division ensures that articles are comprehensible for readers without a technical science background. Throughout the weeks of article production, Lay Reviewers will work closely with Scientific Reviewers to assure that the scientific concepts, data, and research are digestible and communicated clearly while maintaining its accuracy and logic. After Authors submit new writing on Tuesday, Lay Reviewers will have until Thursday night to submit their edits. This position is a great opportunity to work on developing and strengthening clear communication skills, and perfect for students who are passionate about making ideas accessible to all. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Submit edits every Thursday during the writing period. This means reviewing the entire article draft each week. 

• Update progress sheet every week. 

• Communicate with entire article group regularly (at least once a week) via Geneva or group message.

• Reach out to EBoard early with any concerns.

ARTIST

The artist is responsible for creating three relevant pieces over the course of 10 weeks. Artists will collaborate with the Art Director to develop & execute their creative ideas. This role is open to anyone interested, though we ask that applicants provide a 2-5 piece portfolio. All artistic styles are welcome. Artwork will be posted on our website, and may be featured on social media; in all cases, you will be cited as the artist. Please refer to our other chapters for examples of artwork in previous issues. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Submit three pieces (including 1 cover/focus piece) & be mindful of art deadlines (roughly spaced 2 weeks apart). 

• Be receptive to feedback from the Art Director, and actively collaborate with the Author.

• Be responsive to EBoard: after you are accepted on January 30th, we will ask artists to rank their articles of interest by January 31st. 

• Communicate with entire article group regularly (at least once a week) via Geneva or group message.

• Reach out to EBoard early with any concerns. 

LAYOUT DESIGNER

Layout designers are responsible for the look of the journal for Grey Matters Temple University chapter. This includes the placement of articles, images/art, and curating a cohesive aesthetic for the publication. The layout team works on a different timeline from the writers and artists and publishes the journal halfway through the following semester after publication on the website. 

Being a part of the layout team gives students interdisciplinary experience working alongside science-minded individuals and creatives! Designers get the chance to see their layouts published by an esteemed publication with chapters all over the country.

Key responsibilities: being a part of the layout team means that you will need to set aside 3-5 hours a week to work on your assigned spreads for the journal. Depending on your proficiency in InDesign, it could take more or less time. You will be expected to:

• Design the spreads for your assigned articles and their art by the mid-term of the semester

• Communicate and be responsive on Geneva

• Check-in weekly with progress

• Be receptive to critique and use feedback to improve designs

Feature Columns

​This semester, we are introducing a new type of article - the Feature Column! Feature columns are short, high-impact articles that accent the longer articles in each Grey Matters issue. Members participating in a feature column can participate in writing about current events in neuroscience, ethics, interviews with professionals in the field, accessibility of neuroscience to the public, or other topics related to the mission of Grey Matters. Column groups are made of an Author, General Editor, Lay Reviewer, Scientific Reviewer, and Graduate Reviewer (just like a regular article) except each feature column is released monthly.

Key Responsibilities: 

• .Responsibilities of each member mimic those of a regular article.

  • Authors will submit edits every Tuesday (200 words recommended)

  • Editors will submit edits every Thursday

• Update progress sheet every week

• Communicate with entire article group regularly (at least once a week) via Geneva or group message.

• Reach out to EBoard early with any concerns

RETURNERS: General Editor, Lay Reviewer, Scientific Reviewer, Artist

GRADUATE REVIEW:

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