Lauren Johnson, Washington University in St Louis, USA

Publishing with The Company of Biologists set the standard for what I believe scientific publishing should be. Communication was clear, peer review was constructive, and the process moved smoothly from submission to publication. As an early-career researcher, I especially appreciated that Washington University in St. Louis’s Read & Publish agreement allowed me to make my research freely available without paying Open Access fees, which can otherwise be prohibitively expensive. The agreement ensured that cost did not limit access to my work, complementing the care and support I experienced throughout the publishing process. As an ecologist, I was delighted to learn that The Forest of Biologists planted a wild cherry tree in recognition of my article. This thoughtful gesture made the experience even more meaningful.