The Regional Studies Association seeks to appoint one combined Book Review/Regular Editor and one Early Career Editor to its flagship journal, Regional Studies.
Book Review/Regular Editor (one position available)
This is a combined role. As a Book Review Editor, the successful candidate will manage the commissioning, review and acceptance process for book reviews submitted to the journal. They will also be 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. The Regional Studies Association offers administrative support in managing book reviews.
The Book Review Editor is responsible for:
- Identifying books for review and obtaining review copies from the publishers.
- Identifying potential book reviewers and commissioning submissions. This includes providing clear instructions as to the format and range of the book review and submission procedures; and organising for the book to be sent to the potential reviewer.
- Corresponding with book reviewers (e.g., acknowledging receipt of a submitted book review; providing information about its editorial review as necessary).
- Providing feedback to book reviewers (e.g., editing reviews to the standard of the journal, including content, references and book information, etc.; conveying the editorial decision and providing guidance for revisions).
- Keeping accurate records to ensure that there is a sufficient flow of reviews to fill the journal.
- Reporting when requested to the RSA Publications Committee or to the Editor in Chief/Executive Editor.
Although the editor will have independent authority for the reviewers and the books reviewed, at times the Editor in Chief may request that specific books be reviewed or specific reviewers be contacted.
The Book Review Editor is encouraged to be innovative in their approach. The journal welcomes book review sections (where important books on mixed themes are reviewed) and book review symposia (several reviews on newly published key books and comparisons of two or three related books by a single author). Other ideas would also be welcomed.
Early Career Editor (one position available)
The appointment of the Early Career Editor is open to candidates within five years of the date on their PhD certificate on 31st August 2021. The Early Career Editor will join 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.
The appointment is a mentored role and will normally have a fixed term of three years after which it will be re-advertised. Re-application as the Early Career Editor is not permitted as this position is designed to offer capacity building and training within the academy.
Responding to the Call for Expressions of Interest
In making expressions of interest candidates are invited to submit a manifesto (maximum 2000 words) setting out:
- Their ideas for the journal, including but not limited to:
- The historic and future strengths of the journal and its place in regional studies, broadly defined;
- Article types (review, commissioned, etc.);
- Special issue topics;
- Sections within the journal (essential for Book Review Editor);
- Article length and other general instructions to authors;
- How the journal can have impact and be made more relevant to policy makers.
- Any existing editorial experience and in particular any experience of managing the peer review processes. Any knowledge of legal and ethical issues in scholarly publishing should be outlined.
- 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.
The successful candidates appointed to all positions will be expected to join the RSA as Members throughout their term. Current non-Members may apply. Further details on are available from the Regional Studies Association Office or from the Association website at https://www.regionalstudies.org/about/memberships/
Interested applicants with questions about the journal are invited to contact: Sally Hardy, Chief Executive, RSA, sally.hardy@regionalstudies.org or by telephoning + 44 (0)1273 698017
Please send your applications (manifesto & CV) to Klara – klara.sobekova@regionalstudies.org (subject line: Call for Editor, Regional Studies)
Closing date: No later than 5pm (BST), Tuesday 31st August 2021.
Regional Studies
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 (sub-national) 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 distils 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.
The journal benefits from professional editorial support. The journal is sent in print, online or both to all categories of Regional Studies Association members and is sold to a large subscriber base by the Publisher, Routledge. The journal is available singly to subscribers or as part of a pack with other RSA journals including, Territory, Politics, Governance; Spatial Economic Analysis, and Area Development and Policy. The Association also publishes Regional Studies, Regional Science which is a gold open access journal only available online.
More information about the journal may be found here: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cres20/current
The 2019 Impact Factor is 3.312 and the journal was ranked as follows: Urban & Regional Planning 8/39, Geography 14/84, Economics 50/371 and Environmental Studies 34/123. Further information on journal metrics may be found here: https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=journalMetrics&journalCode=cres20