Stewarding a Legacy: A Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Read
What does it mean to lead the oldest addiction journal in the United States?
For Dr. Jennifer Read, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chair of Psychology at the University at Buffalo, the answer is both an honor and a responsibility. As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (JSAD), she sits at the helm of a publication that has shaped addiction science for more than eight decades while also guiding its future in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape.
Founded in 1940 at Yale University as the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, JSAD emerged in the wake of Prohibition to provide an objective, scientific voice in a field long dominated by polarized perspectives. From its earliest days, the journal sought to advance rigorous, multidisciplinary research on alcohol use and its societal impacts. Over time, its scope expanded first reflecting broader scientific inquiry into alcohol, and later encompassing drugs, tobacco, and emerging substance use trends, culminating in its current title in 2007. Against this rich historical backdrop, Dr. Read describes her role not simply as editorial oversight, but as stewardship. “We have a responsibility to the field,” she explains, “to ensure that the science we publish is of the highest quality […] and that we represent the field in a way that reflects both where it is and where it’s going.”
The Weight and Opportunity of History
JSAD’s history is not just long; it is foundational. The journal helped establish addiction science as a legitimate, multidisciplinary field, bringing together perspectives from physiology, psychology, sociology, and medicine at a time when such integration was rare. For Dr. Read, that legacy shapes editorial decision-making in tangible ways. She notes that there’s a responsibility not just to publish strong science but to help make the science better This commitment extends even to manuscripts that are ultimately not accepted. Through rigorous peer review, the journal contributes to improving the broader body of research, an often invisible but essential function of academic publishing.
Scientific Rigor in a Changing Landscape
As addiction science evolves, so too must the standards and expectations of its leading journals. Dr. Read emphasizes JSAD’s commitment to methodological rigor, transparency, and public health relevance. At the same time, the journal must remain responsive to external pressures from shifts in federal funding priorities to the growing role of artificial intelligence in research. “It’s about staying dynamic and nimble,” she says, crediting her senior and field editors, a team of people that could be described “brain trust” for helping guide the journal through these changes. This collaborative leadership structure allows JSAD to maintain its identity as a stable, trusted pillar in the field while adapting to contemporary challenges.
Expanding the Scope of Addiction Science
One of the most visible evolutions of JSAD is its expanding scope. While the journal’s origins are rooted in alcohol research, its present (and future) reflect a much broader understanding of substance use. Dr. Read points to increasing interest in areas such as cannabis and THC, neuroscience, treatment research, and methodological innovation. This shift is not just about inclusion, but about reflecting the realities of modern addiction science, really leaning into the ‘& Drugs’ part of JSAD. This expansion is supported by a diverse editorial team with expertise spanning disciplines, enabling the journal to evaluate and promote research across a wide range of topics while maintaining coherence and quality.
Building Trust Through Transparency and Communication
In an era where public trust in science seems challenged, Dr. Read sees academic journals as playing a crucial role not only in generating knowledge, but in communicating it. JSAD has taken steps to bridge the gap between complex research and public understanding. One such initiative is Fast Takes, a section that provides concise summaries, rapid updates, and expert perspectives on emerging topics in alcohol and drug research. “These are ways to make the science more accessible,” she explains, “to bring it closer to policy and to the public.” Beyond this, efforts to enhance transparency in peer review and broader dissemination, such as press releases and media engagement, help extend the reach of published research beyond academic audiences.
A Journal of Many Voices
A defining strength of JSAD, according to Dr. Read, is its diversity of topics, methods, and perspectives. She envisions the journal as a “go-to place” for addiction science, one that welcomes differing viewpoints and fosters dialogue. This includes encouraging commentary and scholarly discussion around published work, reinforcing the journal’s role not just as a repository of findings, but as a forum for scientific exchange. Maintaining coherence amid such diversity is no small task. Yet under Dr. Read’s leadership, JSAD strives to remain both inclusive and unified a place where varied strands of research come together into a cohesive body of knowledge.
Looking Ahead
When asked about the future, Dr. Read speaks with both humility and pride.“It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience,” she reflects. “I feel honored to serve in this role.”She is quick to credit the team around her—the senior and field editors whose expertise and collaboration sustain the journal’s mission. Looking ahead, her vision is one of continuity and growth: a journal that continues to uphold its longstanding commitment to scientific excellence while evolving to meet new challenges and opportunities. For researchers in the field, her message is clear: JSAD remains not only a cornerstone of addiction science, but an active, forward-looking platform for advancing it.
Interviewed by Dr Emmanuel Alvarez, Postdoctoral Associate, Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies