Regional Studies Journal

Book Reviews Editor

Closing Date: Friday, 3rd May 2013

The Regional Studies Association seeks a Book Reviews Editor for the journal Regional Studies.

Regional Studies is a large journal which is wholly owned by the Association and published under contract by the imprint Routledge, which is owned by Taylor and Francis, itself part of Informa Group plc.

Regional Studies is an international journal both in terms of its authorship and subscriber/readership base. Submissions are global and typically from departments of geography, economics, planning and political science. Many of the published articles are empirical in nature and many articles include some quantitative methodology.

The journal is in its 47th volume and currently publishes ten issues annually of which three may be special issues. In 2014, the journal will move to monthly publication and will continue to include both special issues and mini-themed issues.

The journal is published in both print and electronic form and is distributed to both the Association’s membership and to the publisher’s subscriber list. The journal is hybrid in accepting standard article submissions and is compliant with current UK rules on open access offering both a gold and green route to publication.

The Book Reviews Editor will work with the Editor in Chief, Professor Ivan Turok, Executive Director, Economic Performance and Development Unit, Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa. Ivan is also an Honorary Professor at the Universities of Cape Town and Glasgow.

The editorial team for the journal comprises of ten editors as follows, five Editor – Papers, a Special Issue Editor, two section editors for Policy Debates and Critical Surveys, a book reviews editor and an Early Career Editor. The journal also has an Editorial Advisory Board who in accepting their position, agree to act as referees and to provide advice including an annual report on the journal.

The editors take responsibility for the content and profile of the journal but are supported by the professional Executive Editor and Editorial Assistant

The tasks to be undertaken will include but not be limited to:

The Book Review Editor manages the solicitation, review, and acceptance process for book reviews submitted to the journal.

The Book Review Editor is responsible for the following tasks: 1. Identify books Identify books that warrant being reviewed and obtain review copies from the publishers.

Communicate with book publishers.

2. Identify authors of book reviews Identify potential reviewers and solicit submissions. Provide clear instructions as to the format and range of the book review and submission procedures. Mail or cause the book to be mailed to the potential reviewer. The postage costs are provided for.

3. Correspond with the author of the book review Acknowledge the receipt of a submitted book review; provide information about the status of its editorial review as necessary.

4. Provide feedback to the book review author Edit the review to the standard of the journal (including content, references and book information etc) and provide feedback to the author of the book review. Convey the editorial decision (accept for publication, revise and resubmit, or reject), and provide guidance to the author for revisions.

5. Keep accurate records Keep accurate records to ensure that there is a sufficient flow of reviews to fill the journal.

6. Reporting Report 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 Reviews Editor is encouraged to be innovative in approach as the journal welcomes standard book review sections where important books on mixed themes are reviewed; special issues related to books where books on specific research themes are reviewed (including text books); 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.

The Book Reviews Editor will have access to the journal’s manuscript tracking software which is Scholar One at the current time and will work with the Executive Editor to ensure that the appropriate copyright forms are in place prior to publication. The Book Reviews Editor will receive limited financial support for the role which will cover necessary expenses including editorial board meeting attendance.

Qualifications The Book Review Editor is likely to be a member of the Regional Studies Association. He or she is familiar of regional studies and is able to recruit book-review authors.

Experience with a peer-reviewed journal as a reviewer would be beneficial.

A familiarity with publishing ethics is desirable but training can be provided.

To apply Please send your CV and an editorial manifesto setting out your qualifications and ambitions for the role and any experience that you already have. You should demonstrate in your application that you have the support of your academic department.

Closing date: Friday 3rd May 2013 (5pm UK time)

For more information contact: Sally Hardy, Chief Executive, Regional Studies Association [email protected]