REGIONAL STUDIES
Call for Expression of Interest:
Regular Editor (two positions available)
June 2022
The Regional Studies Association (RSA) seeks to appoint two Editors for the international journal Regional Studies (RS) published by Routledge.
Regional Studies is a leading international journal covering the development of theories and concepts, empirical analysis and policy debate in the field of regional studies. The journal publishes original research spanning the economic, social, political and environmental dimensions of urban and regional (subnational) change.
The distinctive purpose of Regional Studies is to connect insights across intellectual disciplines in a systematic and grounded way to understand how and why regions and cities evolve. It publishes research that distills how economic and political processes and outcomes are contingent upon regional and local circumstances. The journal is a pluralist forum, which showcases diverse perspectives and analytical techniques.
Essential criteria for papers to be accepted for Regional Studies are that they make a substantive contribution to scholarly debates, are subnational in focus, conceptually well-informed, empirically grounded and methodologically sound. Submissions are also expected to engage with wider debates that advance the field of regional studies and are of interest to readers of the journal.
Regional Studies has a significant circulation footprint and far-reaching impact. It is distributed and promoted with its RSA sister journals, Territory, Politics, Governance, Spatial Economic Analysis, Regional Studies, Regional Science and Area Development and Policy.
Regular Editor (two positions available)
Regional Studies Editors are called on to support the existing team of Editors in managing the peer review of general submissions in their area of expertise, enhancing the journal’s reputation as a world-leading publication in the field of regional studies, and ensuring that it is in a position to attract the best authors and papers for its readership.
Regional Studies specifically seeks two new Editors with editorial experience with the academic journal peer review process including familiarity with the administration of peer-reviewed journals. The journal seeks Editors with substantive expertise within the multidisciplinary fields of regional studies and its constituent disciplines including quantitative methods and mixed methods common in disciplines such as economic and urban geography and business and management. The journal particularly seeks Editors with familiarity with regions outside of Europe including the Americas, East Asia and China, and Australia. The journal seeks Editors with expertise in research areas including (but not limited to) migration and immigration, inequality and regional disparities, and sustainable development and climate change.
The successful candidates appointed to the positions will be expected to join the RSA as Members throughout their term. Current non-Members may apply. Further details are available from the Regional Studies Association Office or the Association website at https://www.regionalstudies.org/about/memberships/
Responding to the Call for Expression of Interest
In making expressions of interest candidates are invited to submit an application (maximum 2000 words) setting out:
- Existing editorial experience and in particular experience managing the peer review process. Please note any knowledge of legal and ethical issues in scholarly publishing. Please also note any edited books, journal special issues, or experience editing other academic journals.
- Ideas for the journal that might be pursued during the term as Editor (contextualized within the historic and future strengths of the journal and its place in regional studies, broadly defined).
Please note ideas about how the journal can have academic impact and become increasingly relevant to policy makers.
- Any institutional support available, including any time allowance to undertake the editorial role.
Full CVs should be attached – these may be in summary form but should give enough information to demonstrate embeddedness in the field, e.g. information about networks, conferences attended, relevant publications, professional memberships, etc.
Interested applicants with ideas about the journal are invited to contact: Suede Stanton-Drudy – suede@regionalstudies.org or Phone: + 44 (0)1273 698017
Submissions should be sent to Suede Stanton-Drudy: suede@regionalstudies.org (subject line: Call for Editor, Regional Studies)
Closing date: 5PM (BST), Friday 9th September 2022
Metrics
The 2021 Impact Factor is 4.595, ranking Regional and Urban Planning 11/39, Geography 14/85, Economics 62/379, Environmental Studies 39/127. Learn more about the journal metrics here.
General Administration
The journal is subject to the aims and objects of the Regional Studies Association and the editorial team is expected to have knowledge of the Association’s activities, but the journal maintains editorial independence from the Association. The journal is international in scope and the editorial team and Editorial Advisory Board reflect this international reach. The day-to-day running of Regional Studies is supported by an Executive Editor and a peer review administration assistant as well as by a team at the publishers, Routledge.
Contractual Terms
The editorial team for Regional Studies has a formal contractual relationship with the Regional Studies Association. This contract sets out the role and responsibilities of the Editors, the Association and the publishers. It will also set out the terms of the contract and the financial arrangements.
The editorial team receives editorial expenses to cover their costs in editing the journal. Monies not required to attend editorial meetings may be spent in the general promotion of the journal, for example through conference and other travel by Editors.
Management
The Association has experience of managing five journals, a magazine and two book series. Its structures and methods have worked well to support and protect editorial teams while providing freedom of editorial decision-making.
The Editor in Chief of the journal has a place on the Regional Studies Association Journal Committee and on the Board of the Association.
The editorial team report to the Journal Committee which oversees the day-to-day management of the Association’s journals including such matters as the negotiation of contracts and decisions on changes to the major format of the journals, for example increases in frequency or change in layout or design. Decisions are taken in close collaboration with the Editors of the publications. The Journal Committee also takes a lead on any legal or similar issues that are raised such as unattributed copying and redundant publishing.
The Journal Committee does not interfere with editorial decisions. Within the RSA office, the Chief Executive takes responsibility for the journal publishing programme assisted by other colleagues.
Promotion of the Journal
This is primarily delivered by the publishers and Association, but all parties participate in terms of strategy and approach. The Editors will be expected to play a role in building the reputation of the journal through participating in “Meet the Editors” sessions at major conferences, writing calls for papers, etc. Editors would not be expected to draw up detailed marketing plans or to deliver them.
Financial Management of the Journal
The Editors are not expected to be involved in the financial management of the journal other than in the transparent management of editorial expenses allocated to them. This function is managed by the Regional Studies Association office and the publisher. The Editors do not carry the financial risk of the journal.
Further information is available from:
www.regionalstudies.org
The Regional Studies Association is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Regional Studies Association
Sussex Innovation Centre, Falmer Brighton, BN1 9SB, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1273 698 017
Email: office@regionalstudies.org
Website: www.regionalstudies.org