Speak Out
October 2014
5
The recently released
2013
Impact Factor for the
International
Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
(
IJSLP
) of 1.412 continues to reflect
a strong upward trend, rising from
the previous year’s 1.176. The Impact
Factor for
IJSLP
has continued to rise
each year: 1.412 (2013), 1.176 (2012),
1.000 (2011), 1.120 (2010), and is now
ranked 4th of the 11 speech pathology specific journals, up
from 6th in the previous year. Additionally,
IJSLP
is now ranked
24th out of 69 journals within the ISI Rehabilitation category.
The Impact Factor of a journal reflects the number of times
articles in the journal are being cited and is an objective
estimate of the journal’s standing.
We extend special thanks to Professor Sharynne McLeod
who was Editor over this period and who worked tirelessly
to promote the journal. Congratulations to Sharynne, the
present Editor, Associate Professor Kirrie Ballard, and the
Executive Board of the
IJSLP
journal for continuing to drive a
highly valued and internationally recognised publication for the
profession.
Our profession
was showcased in Parliament and
there is no doubt that we should be proud of the accolades
we have received from the Senators. The recommendations
are thorough and insightful and I believe they have captured
the general essence of what SPA and its members have
been advocating for over an extended period of time.
The voice of all those we work with and advocate for has
finally been heard!
I would like to congratulate Gail Mulcair and her extraordinary
team at National Office who worked so hard in lobbying for
this Inquiry and in producing an exceptional submission in a
very short period of time. I know that the Committee valued
this submission greatly, as well as the additional data and
information provided to them during the process.
I would also like to acknowledge Chris Stone for her
leadership as past President of SPA and previous members
of the Board in ensuring that this Inquiry happened. A perfect
example of dogged persistence winning out in the end.
Finally, I would like to thank all members of our profession
who contributed to this Inquiry as well those on the ground
who have supported this process for a considerable period
of time.
Now the work really begins!
It is vitally important that federal, state and
territory governments positively respond
to these recommendations. To this end,
Speech Pathology Australia is seeking
meetings with key Ministers in health, aged
care, disability, education and justice in
federal, state and territory governments to
discuss how these recommendations can
be advanced.
The full Committee report can be found
online at
ronelle hutchinson
Manager, Policy and Advocacy
IJSLP
continues to rise in its international standing
A Message from SPA President Professor Deb Theodoros
“…Before I start on outlining some of those recommendations and
our findings, I want to make sure that I have time to acknowledge the
work that Speech Pathology Australia has put into this inquiry and
thank the many professionals in the speech pathology area that we
spoke to, parents, older people and people suffering from aphasia who
contributed, making sure that we had full access to information.”
Senator Rachel Siewert, Chair of the Community Affairs Reference
Committee when tabling the report in Parliament, 2 September 2014
