About Scalpel

Scalpel is the largest surgical society in the UK, based at the University of Manchester. Initially formed in 2001, to promote interest in surgery amongst students in Manchester, Scalpel has since attracted students and doctors from across the country with its high-quality events. We currently have hundreds of members and host 200+ delegates at our conferences. Scalpel has long been at the forefront of surgical innovation and accessibility, bringing in the latest cutting-edge equipment and renowned experts for workshops and talks, respectively. We are also proud to offer this at a fraction of the cost quoted for other conferences across the UK. Our most notable events this year include our second-ever Trauma Conference in October and our 17th Annual Conference in November.

Why a Student-Led Journal is Needed

Medical students are often encouraged to engage with research, yet many face barriers to meaningfully contribute. These include a lack of research experience, limited opportunities outside of medical curricula, and intense competition from other students and resident doctors for those opportunities. A student-led journal directly addresses these challenges by creating an accessible, inclusive platform where students can lead, publish, and grow.

Our Goals

• Foster a strong academic culture amongst future surgeons

• Provide more opportunities to students

• Amplify student voices in surgery and academia

Scope of the Journal

The Scalpel will include peer-reviewed publications relevant to surgery. The content will be from submissions to Scalpel and our partners. This includes abstracts presented at our conferences and winners of short-essay prizes, which take place throughout the year. University of Manchester students will also have the unique opportunity of publishing their Personal Excellence Pathway (PEP) abstracts, provided they pass peer review and have not been published elsewhere.

For details on current submission opportunities, visit the Submission Opportunities tab and share your work with The Scalpel community.

Frequency of Publications

The Scalpel will initially be published once a year to maintain quality and academic integrity. We aim to publish our first issue in February 2026, in line with Scalpel’s 25th anniversary. The frequency of issues may increase in future years.

Indexing & Citations

Each publication will have its own unique link and DOI, allowing for accurate citations and enhanced visibility. We are also working on acquiring a Crossref membership to increase the visibility of our publications further. After the journal is established, we will seek indexing in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. These platforms typically require several years' worth of high-quality publications before consideration.

Partnerships

We are actively seeking partnerships with journals, sponsors, and other major surgical societies that share our vision of empowering student research in the field of surgery. Please visit our Partnerships page for more information.