Editorial Search, American Journal of Political Science, 2014 through 2017
Interested applicants for Editor should be full professors in Political Science doctoral degree-granting programs. Applicants are expected to have records of significant research accomplishment, intellectual breadth and depth, and administrative, organizational, and interpersonal skills. The Editor has primary responsibility for the integrity, high standards, and ethics of the process of review and the publication of articles dedicated to the scientific and public value of Political Science research.
Information for Candidates
The AJPS is widely regarded as one of the top journals in the discipline. It receives, on average, 700 submissions per year and it maintains a database of over 7,000 highly qualified reviewers. As a result, serving as Editor requires substantial commitments of time, intellectual effort, and management skill. Potential applicants are encouraged to consider organizational structures, including those that involve individuals, pairs, or teams of individuals and institutions, that would help with these commitments.
The AJPS Editor reports directly to the MPSA Executive Council usually through the MPSA President and Executive Director. The AJPS Editor also is involved with the broader Political Science research communities, the Editorial Board, and the Wiley-Blackwell Publisher production and marketing staff. The Editor also must hire and supervise the Editorial Assistant and several doctoral-student editorial assistants involved at the home institution(s) with the Editorial Manager online manuscript-processing system.
The MPSA encourages proposals from teams of Editors, if they have a clear plan for managing the editorship of the AJPS.
The AJPS has historically benefited from a cooperative arrangement between the Association and the Editor’s home institution, with both providing support for the Editors. Different host institutions have provided different types of support in the past depending on specific circumstances, and the exact balance of resources between the MPSA and the host institution have also varied over time. More detailed information can be provided upon request by contacting William Morgan, Executive Director at Morgan@mpsanet.org.
While applications are encouraged from people with even limited financial or in-kind support from home institutions, the MPSA has typically supported the Editorial Operation by paying the direct costs associated with the following: copy editor and proof readers; web-based proposal management system; office expenses, including supplies, telephone, copying and publications; travel support; part-time secretarial support, graduate student stipends, stipend for the Editor.
Home institutions have traditionally provided editors with support for: reduced teaching assignment (typically down to a 1-1 load); summer salary stipend for Editor; graduate assistants; part-time secretarial support; appropriate office space.
To Apply
Candidates should e-mail (as a PDF attachment) a full curricula vita, a letter of intent or proposal that specifically discusses goals for the Journal; plans for management, organization, and responsibility; experiences directly relevant to the position of Editor; and statements of financial support involving requests from the MPSA and financial letter of commitment from the host university(ies). Applications should be sent to William Morgan, Executive Director, MPSA (e-mail: Morgan@mpsanet.org) and must be received not later than January 15. 2013. All applicants will receive an e-mail confirmation.
The AJPS Editor Committee consists of Ken Kollman (Chair), Terry Givens, John Huber, David Magelby and Rick Wilson.
Nominations and Questions: If you wish to nominate a person to serve as Editor, you may contact the Chair of the Editor Search Committee, Ken Kollman (KKollman@umich.edu). If you have questions about the responsibilities of serving as Editor of the AJPS, you are encouraged to contact the Chair of the Committee or the Editor, Rick Wilson (rwk@rice.edu).
Those interested are also invited to send an optional letter of intent to receive feedback on the viability of a successful final proposal. This initial letter of intent should include plans for editorial management and overall goals for the journal, and should indicate plans for securing support from the host university(ies). Letters should be sent to kkollman@umich.edu.