In February 2021, Analytical Chemistry published the first edition of its Diversity & Inclusion Cover Art Series. The cover featured Dr. Jeanita Pritchett’s original painting of a young girl standing in front of a mirror, seeing herself as a “grown up” chemist; she penned an accompanying Editorial that featured the details of her story. Since this initial publication, ACS Publications continues to be amazed by the wonderful contributions to this series and the positive reactions that have resonated from the community. Analytical Chemistry published 9 more covers in 2021, and the journal is excited to continue this monthly series in 2022.
This Analytical Chemistry Editorial from last year highlighted the importance ACS Publications places on using our publishing platform to amplify marginalized voices and recognize historically excluded or under-recognized populations of chemists. ACS Publications is pleased to announce that our other journal Editors share this sentiment and will expand the series to each of their journals for one issue in 2022. You are invited and encouraged to submit your own cover to the ACS journal of your choosing, helping to amplify the visibility of underrepresented chemists in our communities.
Submission Details:
ACS journals are soliciting authors who are underrepresented in the chemistry community (most notably those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ, first generation, and those with disabilities) to submit their cover art. Each participating journal issue front cover will feature the artist’s artwork, as well as an editorial written by the artist describing their artwork and story. Artists need not be chemists, but the work and editorial should have a connection to the field of chemistry. ACS hopes this initiative serves as another one way to foster an inclusive environment in which underrepresented cohorts in the chemistry community can strengthen their voice through their artwork and written word.
If selected, artists will be compensated $1000 USD.* ACS Publications may select some cover art be featured on ACS store products; in this case, additional compensation will be provided.
If you are interested in contributing to this initiative, please submit the following:
- An initial sketch of your artwork; the sketch should clearly communicate the diversity and inclusion theme.
- A paragraph describing the cover art idea and its meaning to you.
- Top 3-5 preferred journal(s) in which you would like your artwork and editorial to appear. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.
If your initial sketch is selected for this program, you will be asked to provide:
- Completed artwork that can be digitized to 8.19 x 10.0 inches with a resolution of 300 dpi or higher, preferably in the .jpg or .tif format. The cover art must include 2 inches of space to accommodate the journal logo.
- A short editorial describing your story and your artwork (roughly 400-800 words).
ACS Publications will consider artwork submissions on a rolling basis until Sept 30, 2022. Please note that ACS Publications will compile and promote all published covers in an end-of-year collection.
