On 27 April, the first meeting of the first youth editorial board of International Journal of Sediment Research (IJSR) was held in Beijing. Prof. Peng Jing, Director-General of International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) and President of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), the organizer of the journal, delivered the opening speech; Prof. Fang Hongwei, Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Professor of Tsinghua University and Vice President of Southern University of Science and Technology, gave a special report on the development of the journal; Prof. Zhang Jianli, Deputy Director of the IRTCES, presided over the meeting; and more than 30 young editorial board members of the journal, as well as leaders of relevant affiliation of Tsinghua University, Beijing KeAi Co., Ltd, Beijing Wanfang Data Co., Ltd, IRTCES and IJSR editorial office in charge of the relevant departments to participate in the exchange.

Prof. Peng Jing pointed out in her speech that International Journal of Sediment Research, founded in 1986, has become a stage for displaying theoretical achievements and practical experience in the field, leading the scientific and technological frontiers in the field of sediment. The discipline of sedimentation includes both microscopic and macroscopic research, which is closely related to production, life and ecology, reflecting the dual impact of nature and society. Science and technology journals are important carriers to lead the exploration of ideas, stimulate knowledge and innovation, and disseminate scientific research results. It is expected that the young editorial board members will face the international frontiers, the sustainable development of sediment, integrate the systematic approaches based on their core specialties, continuously empower themselves to bring new thinking, new vitality and new effectiveness to the journals.

Prof. Fang Hongwei reviewed the development history of the journal and shared the specific initiatives in four aspects: consolidating the quality of content, enhancing the influence of the journal, standardizing the publishing process and improving the organizational effectiveness. It was pointed out that the joining of young editorial board members would inject new vitality into the development of the journal, and it was expected that the young editorial board members would give full play to their advantages and work hard for the goal of building an international first-class scientific and technological journal.

Qi Yi, Publisher of Beijing KeAi Co., Ltd, Wu Guoxiong, Associate Editor and Reviewer of Beijing Wanfang Data Co., Ltd, Li Dongfeng, researcher of Peking University, and An Chenge, engineer of IWHR, gave presentations on ‘Breaking through the Hundred-foot pole: the standardized development of journals in the perspective of publishing policy and ethics’, ‘Data analysis and service of journals’, ‘The water and sand fluxes of rivers in the cryosphere’, and ‘Formation of Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake’, respectively.

The young editorial board members from more than 20 universities and institutes had a lively discussion on the development of the journal.