Seeking New Associate Editor for Practical Theology
Due to the internationalization and growth of Practical Theology, the trustees of the Contact Pastoral Trust wish to appoint an Associate Editor, who will make a significant contribution to the continuing development of the journal. The appointment is with the expectation that after approximately three years the person taking up the role will then become the Editor for at least the following two years. This is therefore an appointment for at least five years beginning in Sept/Oct 2023. The first two years will allow the current Editor to induct the Associate Editor into the business and tasks of editing and withdraw at the appropriate point. The third year will involve planned transition to growing responsibility and oversight of the journal.
The honorarium for the Associate Editor will be £825 per annum.
The Editor role requires a time commitment of up to one day (7 hours) per week and carries an honorarium of £3300 per annum.
Job Description
The Associate Editor will report to and be supervised the Editor.
General Tasks:
- Learn the process of editing this journal over the two years with a view to editing at least one issue of the journal within the first eighteen months.
- Shadowing the current Editor, “triaging” new submissions for suitability, identifying and inviting peer reviewers, assessing peer reviews, making editorial decisions and contributing to editorials.
- Supporting authors, especially those attempting publication for the first time to develop their work to an acceptable level for peer review.
- Liaising with the publishers, Taylor & Francis as appropriate, particularly when problems and issues arise.
- Preparing reports for and attending the annual meeting of the trustees of the Contact Pastoral Trust (expenses are paid for individuals traveling within UK).
- Attending in the annual hybrid conference of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology, BIAPT (at own expense) and representing the journal there.
- Contributing to the editorial team at Practical Theology, including the Editor, Associate Editor, Poetry Editor, and Book Reviews Editor.
- Join the editor in a biannual virtual meeting with members of the Editorial Board.
- Networking and being a voice in support of the journal whenever and wherever possible.
Specific Tasks:
- Continue to internationalize submissions and the peer review process for the journal with a view to expanding contributions to the journal from specifically, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and South & Central America.
- Maintain and monitor an inventory of submissions, the status of reviews, and publication deadlines for articles and book reviews.
- This will involve developing a wider network of volunteer teams of peer reviewers from various regions around the world and possibly an introductory Special Issue addressing the questions that non-Western Practical Theology raises.
- Sustain and oversee the piloted Buddy System that supports prospective authors who are writing in English as a second, third, or fourth academic language.
- Develop innovative ideas and bring creativity to how the journal operates.
- Liaise with the BIAPT Committee as they develop a new open source Practical Theology website that will connect to and support content in the journal.
Person Specification
The person appointed will have a post graduate qualification in theology (desirably in practical theology) and be a published author in an international peer-reviewed journal. They will be networked locally and internationally in practical theology. They will have the capacity to take on the Editor role in due course, be organised, creative, innovative and able to deliver to deadlines.
To apply to be Associate Editor send a brief CV (including publications) with a covering letter explaining why you are interested in this role to the Secretary at the Contact Pastoral Trust, Helen Cameron: helen.cameron[at]regents.ox.ac.uk by 14th July 2023.
If you would like to have an exploratory conversation with the current Associate Editor, Dustin Benac, you may contact him directly at dustin_benac[at]baylor.edu.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with the current Editor-in-Waiting and two members of the trustees of the Contact Pastoral Trust.
Posting official business from Practical Theology Hub, BIAPT, and the Practical Theology Journal, as well as interviews.
