Richard Sever

Richard Sever is a prominent figure in the field of scientific publishing, currently serving as the Co-Founder of bioRxiv and medRxiv at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory since November 2013. These platforms are significant for preprint publishing in the life sciences and health sciences, respectively, allowing researchers to share their findings before formal peer review.

Professional Background

• Current Roles:

  • Co-Founder, bioRxiv & medRxiv (2013 - Present)
  • Assistant Director, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2011 - Present)
  • Executive Editor, Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives (2008 - Present)
  • Executive Editor, Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (2011 - 2022)

• Previous Experience:

  • Executive Editor, Company of Biologists (1999 - 2007)
  • Assistant Editor, Elsevier (1998 - 1999)
  • In-house Editor, Current Science (1997 - 1998)

Education

Richard Sever holds a Master's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford (1988-1992) and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Cambridge (1992-1996).

Contributions to Publishing

Sever has been influential in discussions surrounding the evolution and future of scientific publishing. He actively engages with the community through articles and posts on platforms like LinkedIn, where he reflects on the history and potential changes in the peer review process and journal publishing models.12

His work at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory emphasizes transparency and accessibility in scientific research, particularly through the innovative use of preprints to expedite the dissemination of knowledge within the scientific community.