Journal of American Studies (Cambridge University Press)

Call for New Co-Editors or Editor, and Associate Editors

Applications are invited from British Association for American Studies members for the positions of Co-Editors or Editor, and two Associate Editors of the Journal of American Studies.

The Journal of American Studies is one of the most important area studies journals in the world. It is genuinely inter-, cross- and multi-disciplinary and attracts submissions from academics across the world. The Editor(s) and Associate Editors play crucial roles in determining the Journal’s direction and contents. BAAS is therefore keen to appoint individuals who can demonstrate the appropriate level of experience and commitment to ensure that the Journal builds on its reputation for publishing innovative and challenging scholarship of the highest quality.

The Editor(s) has responsibility for the overall running of the Journal, including (but not limited to) screening initial submissions, appointing peer reviewers, adjudicating across reports, commissioning special editions, writing quarterly and annual reports, liaising with CUP’s production and editorial teams, promoting the Journal at national and international events, inaugurating new initiatives and determining the direction and overall intellectual vision of the Journal. Associate Editors coordinate the Journal’s large reviews section, commissioning roundtables and allocating publications for review to suitable reviewers.

The current Co-Editors have successfully established a model of co-editorship that the appointing panel is happy to see continued. BAAS would therefore welcome applications from members of the American Studies community who wish to work together in a co-editorial model, although candidates who wish to take on the role as individuals will also be considered. Similarly, BAAS is keen to continue the co-editors model at the Associate Editor level.

BAAS is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. It wishes to attract applications from candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to promoting equality within the American Studies field and who will work to protect and enhance JAS’s reputation for promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity across rank, intellectual profile, and background.

All positions will formally commence on 1 January 2019 and last for four years.  Each successful candidate will start a ‘shadowing’ process in autumn 2018, by arrangement with the current Editors, Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier and Dr. Bevan Sewell. Each post receives a salary appropriate to its responsibilities, with the JAS Editor or Co-Editors also receiving a share of the profits BAAS receives from the Journal’s subscriptions. In 2017, the Co-Editors shared a base salary of £5,500 plus profit share, and the Associate Editors each received £1,800.

Applicants for all posts should send (i) a summary CV, (ii) a vision statement of up to 500 words, and (iii) a letter in support of your application as email attachments to Chair of the BAAS Publications Subcommittee, Dr. Joe Street at joe.street [at] northumbria.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is Friday 2 February 2018. Interviews will be held at the BAAS conference, 4-7 April 2018 in central London.

For further information on the positions, applicants are invited to contact the current Editors, Prof. Celeste-Marie Bernier at Celeste-Marie.Bernier@ed.ac.uk or Dr. Bevan Sewell at Bevan.Sewell@nottingham.ac.uk and Associate Editors Dr. Nick Witham at n.witham@ucl.ac.uk or Dr. Sinéad Moynihan at S.Moynihan@exeter.ac.uk