Meet the Editor: Emma Weeks
Emma Weeks has served as one of the Editors-in-Chief of RES journal Medical and Veterinary Entomology since 2020, focusing on the veterinary submissions. An active member of the RES, she is a passionate advocate for the entomological community as a whole.
Tell us a bit about the person behind the title Editor-in-Chief.
I am the oldest of three sisters and I grew up in Cornwall. I have always loved nature and being outdoors and that is something that I have valued wherever I have lived. Being an entomologist helps me appreciate nature even more and get outside during my work day.
How did your academic career develop, and what led you to entomology in particular?
I thought I wanted to be a vet but then during my undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Wales, Swansea, I took several classes in Entomology and found a new passion in the relationship between insects and animals (including humans).
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I enjoy working with students and other researchers that I can help to develop their careers. I find helping others rewarding be it on a day-to-day basis or as a result of the research I do.
“I love being involved with the RES and the opportunities that gives me to help shape the field and encourage young people to take up entomology and early-career scientists to continue to be excited about entomology.”
– Emma Weeks
What is the best part of your role as EiC of your journal?
Getting to read exciting research before anyone else! I also enjoy helping authors to make their papers even better.
What has been your most exciting or interesting research discovery, and why?
During my PhD, I identified chemicals that can be used to attract bed bugs into a trap for monitoring. This work continued after my PhD with proof-of-concept testing and finally a product has been released onto the market. I find it very exciting that this research has led to a product that could be helpful for management of this challenging public health pest.
Many entomologists travel widely – what was the most enjoyable fieldwork location you’ve worked in, and would you recommend it for a holiday?
I did a lot of fieldwork in Florida during my 8 years living there. The nature and wildlife is amazing from the swamps to the beaches there is so much to see and do. I often felt very lucky to be spending my time in those beauty spots… until summer that is!
What’s your favourite insect and why?
I don’t have a favourite species but I love true bugs, they are just so charismatic, often colourful and with very interesting behaviour.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
To be able to pause time so that I can enjoy specific moments for longer or have more time for things I enjoy like reading.
What is one piece of advice you wished you’d received as an ECR?
Take your time to enjoy the things you like about your job, do the things you enjoy, and work with people you enjoy working with as much as you can!
Where are you hoping your career will take you next?
I hope to continue working with societies to improve their journal management so that their journals can survive in this new publishing landscape.
What motto do you live your life by?
I try to live my life in the moment and not get bogged down by the past or future.
Quickfire Questions
Emma’s favourite:
- Place? The beach, any beach
- Food? Indian or Thai, something spicy with tofu
- Drink? A really good coffee
- Book? I don’t read as much as I would like to, I love the author Haruki Murakami and other fantasy novels
- Musician? Katy Tunstall is one of my all-time favourites.
- Film? I like animations, my favourite recently is probably Coco
- Sport? I like to run and do yoga.
