Journal of Australian Studies: Call for Expressions of Interest for a new editorial team
Application deadline: 12 July 2024
About the role
The Journal of Australian Studies is currently recruiting for Lead Editors, ideally a 2- or 3-person, multi-disciplinary team. The term of office is three years in the first instance, with the opportunity for a further three-year extension.
This role is a great opportunity for academics with a strong background in the Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences whose research focuses on Australian Studies, broadly conceived, and who has the commitment, drive and ability to help develop the journal.
Becoming the Editor of a journal is a rewarding and fulfilling professional experience where you can draw on and build your own networks, develop and promote research in your field, and be recognized as a leading figure within the academic community.
The role involves dedication, energy and focus. You will be responsible for the oversight and administration of a rigorous and proper peer review process that delivers an agreed amount of content of suitable scope and quality within an agreed publication timeframe. You will be supported by a Production Manager, an experienced Copyeditor and the Taylor & Francis journal publishing team. An Editorial Board supports the editors to develop and implement their publication plans, as well as serving as expert reviewers and advocates for the journal. Modest funds are provided by InASA to support travel to InASA conferences and related editorial meetings with Taylor and Francis, negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
JAS editors become ex officio members of the International Australian Studies Association (InASA) Executive Committee, which meets quarterly and can provide support and advice on the journal’s business and future plans.
InASA is committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion across the editorial team, editorial board, reviewer network and decision-making processes, to represent the diverse research community working in this field. Candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, and applications are welcome from scholars at all stages of their career. We recommend you have a discussion with your own institution about workload support for the role before commencing the application process.
About the journal
The Journal of Australian Studies publishes scholarly articles and reviews on Australian culture, society, politics, history and literature. In print since the mid-1970s, it is the journal of the International Australian Studies Association (InASA). The Journal of Australian Studies is published four times a year as a refereed journal cited in the major abstracting and indexing services.
The Journal of Australian Studies is currently highly ranked (Q1) in several Scopus categories. Its key disciplinary areas of focus are:
- Literature and Literary Theory
- History
- Cultural Studies
The Journal of Australian Studies publishes 4 issues per year, and Editors will be responsible for adhering to agreed publication schedules and volumes. The journal uses Taylor and Francis’ ScholarOne platform, which supports the peer review process and provides a full audit trail.
Each issue of the journal includes a full section of book reviews, which are managed by the Book Review Editor, another colleague who can support the editors. It also features special issues and targeted discussion forums on topical issues. The editors can invite formal applications from guest editors for special issue topics and must retain final editorial oversight for guest-edited issues.
Key Skills and Attributes
- A PhD in a relevant discipline, with a proven track record as a scholar and opinion leader within your academic discipline/s.
- A vision and enthusiasm for the continuous development of the journal, including chairing the journal’s Editorial Board and working with Taylor & Francis and other providers.
- Experience in academic publishing and familiarity with its production stages, including working effectively as an independent peer reviewer, and an interest in publishing developments such as open access.
- The ability to ensure all submitted manuscripts are considered in a prompt, consistent and professional manner via an online peer review management system, and to read, summarize, and make decisions based on independent reviewer reports.
- A commitment to communicating promptly, consistently, and professionally with authors and Taylor & Francis staff during the peer review and publication process.
- A strong commitment to ethical rigour as outlined in the COPE guidelines.
The role will formally begin in late 2024, in negotiation with the successful editorial team. Training and transition will be provided by Taylor and Francis; the JAS Production Manager and Copyeditor; and the InASA Executive team.
Application Instructions
Applications should include your CV, a cover letter and a vision statement and should be submitted by 12 July. Your vision statement should be no longer than one page and include:
- Where you believe the field is going, and the journal’s place within it
- How you would increase submissions
- How you would maintain and increase the quality of submissions
- How you would work in partnership with the Editorial Board and InASA Executive Committee
We welcome applications from multi-disciplinary teams of potential collaborators, in which case you can provide a joint vision statement, and / or from individuals who would be interested in the role and would be happy to be put in contact with other interested parties.
For any questions and for submissions, please contact InASA President Professor Anna Johnston: Anna.Johnston@uq.edu.au