Supporters, contributors and editors of Clocks and Clouds, AU's electronic undergraduate research journal, discussed articles in the latest issue, which was released Monday at a reception in the McDowell Formal Lounge.
The four co-editors in chief - Kate Naseef, a senior in the School of Public Affairs and School of Communication and special projects editor for The Eagle; Nic Ravella, a senior in the School of International Service; Taylor Robinson, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and SPA; and Elena Rubinfeld, a senior in SIS - founded the journal in January 2006. All articles in Clocks and Clouds deal with subjects relating to public affairs and international relations.
Naseef, Ravella, Robinson and Rubinfeld named the journal based on philosopher Karl Popper's analogy, "All clouds are clocks, even the most cloudy of clouds." By peer-reviewing and publishing some of the best AU undergraduate written work, it is "dedicated to working towards finding the clocks amidst all the clouds," according to the journal's Web site, www.clockandclouds.org.
This year's peer-reviewers, members of the editorial board who evaluate submitted pieces and edit those published, include 13 sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Clocks and Clouds has proven to be an excellent research journal thus far, said Maria Green Cowles, associate dean of SIS.
"Having a peer-reviewed journal like Clocks and Clouds here at AU speaks of the wonderful high-caliber students here," she said. "This is truly a first-rate undergraduate journal with high standards that allows our students to do research, be published and be recognized in the ways that they deserve."
This issue covers subject matter ranging from an article on Poland's renewable energy challenges written by Nina Rinnerberger, a 2006 graduate from the SIS, to a piece by Zach Baxter, a 2007 graduate, also from SIS, which questions U.S. foreign policy assumptions regarding Somalia and the Union of Islamic Courts. The whole issue, which contains four articles, is available online.
The Clocks and Clouds editors expressed a sense of achievement and relief that this issue is complete.
"We're glad to have survived the first year and that people are still interested and participating," Rubinfeld said.
The other main topic of conversation at the reception, raised by Naseef, was the future of the journal. Currently, the major challenge facing the journal is that all four co-editors are seniors and will graduate next spring. Additionally, the majority of the editorial board members are in their senior year.
This year, in addition to compiling next year's issue, the current Clocks and Clouds staff will work hard to recruit new members as well as to strengthen its network within AU.
"The journal is still really young," said Alex Bruce, a senior in SIS and the author of one of the articles in this issue. "I hope to see it grow more within the AU structure."
The co-editors in chief are considering forming an alumni advisory panel so they can continue their involvement in the journal in an advisory capacity after they graduate, according to Ravella. However, their ultimate concern is the continuation of the journal, and that will require more involvement on the part of the AU student body.
Over the next couple of months, AU students can expect to see increased publicity for the journal as it seeks new members, he said.
