Howard Browman has been presented with ICES Outstanding Achievement Award for 2025 in recognition of his sustained and exceptional contributions to marine science, scientific publishing, and ICES community. Browman received his award during the Opening ceremony of ICES Annual Science Conference, which is taking place this week, hosted at Klaipėda University in Lithuania.
An outstanding career
Browman has been an active member of ICES community for many decades and throughout his career has exemplified the qualities the award celebrates: leadership, scientific excellence, mentorship, and a deep commitment to strengthening ICES as a global leader in marine science and advice. Currently Principal Research Scientist at the Institute of Marine Research in Norway, Browman is best known to many as the long-serving Editor-in-Chief of ICES Journal of Marine Science (IJMS), a role he has held since 2012.
Under his leadership, IJMS has expanded its reach, influence, and relevance, navigating major shifts in scholarly publishing, including the growth of open access, the rise of predatory journals, and the impact of artificial intelligence. Browman has not only safeguarded the integrity of the journal but has also maintained its position as a trusted and internationally respected platform for interdisciplinary marine research. He introduced innovative article categories such as Food for Thought, Quo Vadimus, and Stories from the Front Lines, which have broadened the scope of the journal and encouraged dialogue across disciplines. He also established the IJMS Editorial Mentorship Programme, providing early-career scientists with a unique opportunity to learn the intricacies of publishing and review, ensuring the next generation of editors are ready to carry the torch.
Peers say his impact has been transformative. “Howard's leadership has elevated ICES Journal to a position of global prominence," notes one supporter, highlighting his commitment to fairness, inclusion, and ethics in publishing. Another colleague adds, “Howard stands out among editors in his ready support and guidance. His dedication is phenomenal; he handles hundreds of manuscripts each year, all while mentoring the rest of us."
Howard's scientific contributions are equally impressive. His work spans zooplankton and ichthyoplankton ecology, sensory biology, fish parasite behaviour, and the impacts of human activities such as offshore wind energy, aquaculture, and ocean acidification on marine ecosystems. With nearly 200 publications, almost 10,000 citations, and a place among the top 2% of researchers in his field, his influence reaches well beyond academia. His research has been cited in hundreds of policy documents worldwide, underlining his impact on marine management and policy.
Mentoring the next generation
Mentorship has been a hallmark of Browman's career. He has guided and inspired generations of scientists, building research teams that integrate both senior experts and young talent. Colleagues consistently point to his ability to foster collaboration, encourage debate, and support early-career researchers with generosity and diligence. “Never before have I experienced the open, supportive, and engaged combination of expectation for rigour, active mentorship of editors, and openness to dialogue that Howard routinely provides to all of us", reflects one peer.
Howard has also played an active role in upholding integrity in publishing globally, serving on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Council of Science Editors' Editorial Policy Committee. His leadership in these forums has helped shape guidance on retractions, authorship, peer review, and the use of new technologies in science.
On receiving his award, Howard thanked the Award Committee and everyone who supported his nomination, as well as his wife Anne Berit Skiftesvik, whom he met at his first ever ICES meeting in 1988, his students, postdocs, collaborators, and his employer, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR).
Browman asked the audience to resist the pressure to rush through things. "Scholarship, which is at the very heart of our profession, requires time. Time to become an expert on something. Time to reflect deeply about it. Time to discuss and debate it with colleagues. Time to compose your thoughts and put them into writing. Time to have others evaluate and criticize it so that you can improve it. Using too little time, or cutting corners, degrades scholarship."
Congratulations from everyone in ICES community and thank you for your continued leadership and excellence.
