Rachael is an internationally recognised occupational hygiene scientist whose career has advanced during her tenure at the journal. In 2022, she was appointed Professor and Chair of Environmental Health Sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, where she also serves as Director of the Southern California Education and Research Centre and the UCLA Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health

During her time as Chief Editor, Rachael has overseen a period of growth and innovation for the Annals, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while steering the journal towards a continuous publication model in 2026. Under her leadership, Annals has published significant special issues and supplements, including the Occupational Health and COVID-19 issue (January 2023) and the major supplement on the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (April 2022). She has also curated themed collections on topics such as physical activity and ergonomics (2022) and women’s occupational health and workplace exposures (2023), the latter timed to coincide with BOHS’s report, Uncovering the UK’s Hidden Crisis in Women’s Workplace Health.

Rachael has authored 11 editorials and co-authored a range of reviews, original articles, short communications, and commentaries—including two pieces marking BOHS’s 70th anniversary. She has presided over the selection of two Bedford Prize winners (2022 and 2024), recruited new members to the Editorial and International Advisory Boards, and strengthened international engagement, particularly across Southeast Asia.

Her leadership began at the height of the pandemic, when downloads and submissions reached record highs, and she expertly guided the peer review process through unprecedented demand.

Beyond the journal, Rachael has contributed widely to the BOHS community, including webinars, conference sessions, and workshops, as well as representing Annals at international conferences such as IOHA 2024, EPICOH, and AIOH. She is also a regular contributor to BOHS’s Exposure magazine.

Commenting on her decision to step down, Rachael said:

“Annals thrives because of the strong community of editors, authors and readers, as well as the support of BOHS leadership, and is held together by the expertise and generosity of our editorial manager Roz Phillips.  Serving as Chief Editor has been personally rewarding and provided me opportunities for professional growth that I hadn’t foreseen when I accepted this position.  I look forward to remaining part of Annals community and supporting the new Chief Editor as they lead the journal to new successes.”

BOHS CEO Professor Kevin Bampton commented:

“The excellence of Rachael’s leadership of the Editorial team has been evidenced by the way in which the journal has grown and developed. The Annals has been a leading scientific voice through the global pandemic and in providing the scientific evidence base for understanding high profile issues, such as the rise of accelerated silicosis among engineered stone workers. However, the diversity, breadth and depth of the content continue to drive the disciplines of occupational hygiene and occupational health. This is in no small part as a result of the Editor’s own drive and commitment to diversity. We shall miss her!”

BOHS will announce the appointment of the next Chief Editor in due course to ensure a smooth transition.