Call for Polity Editor
Call for New Editor
The Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA) invites applications from individuals or teams for the editorship of our distinguished, peer-reviewed journal, Polity. The initial period of the editorship will be between 1st July 2020 and 30th July 2025, with the option of renewal for a further period, subject to mutual consent.
Now in its 51st year, Polity is a general political science journal that has been recognized by scholars across the discipline as among the 15 best-known journals. It publishes original research, review essays, and occasional symposia organized by the editor. With electronic submission and review, the average time to decision on manuscripts is two to three months for the first round of review. Each year the journal receives about 120 submissions with an acceptance rate of around 15 percent.
The journal is published quarterly by the University of Chicago Press, which provides an editorial subsidy to help defray the costs associated with running a journal. Some support has been provided by the editor’s home institution, including office space, released time, and graduate student assistance if available.
The editor serves as a member of the executive committee of the Northeastern Political Science Association and is expected to attend all Executive Committee meetings (held in in March and November), to attend and actively engage with NPSA membership at the Annual Meeting of the NPSA (held in November), and to meet with the editorial board at the annual meeting of the APSA (September).
The review of applications/nominations will begin on or about September 1, 2019.
Applications should be emailed to Jeffrey Kraus, Executive Director, Northeastern Political Science Association, at [email protected]
Key Deadlines
- Letter of Intent – August 3, 2019
- Full Proposal – September 9, 2019
- Editorial contract awarded – Saturday, November 9, 2019
- Assume Editorship – July 1, 2020
Eligibility All parties to a proposed editorial team must be, or be willing to become, individual members of the Northeastern Political Science Association. They must demonstrate significant research accomplishments together with intellectual breadth and depth and strong academic management skills. They should be affiliated with an institution, or institutions demonstrating the willingness and ability to support the Editorship.
Purpose
The journal is published quarterly.
The Editor(s) will establish robust editorial policies, including procedures and standards, as well as staffing arrangements. They will report directly to the NPSA Executive Council on operational matters. On editorial matters, including the structure and content of the journal, the editor(s) and the editorial board will have full operational autonomy from the NPSA and its Executive Council, within contractually agreed parameters. The Editor(s)will coordinate the entire submission, review, and decision process, and supervise editorial support staff. In addition, the Editor(s) will convene an Editorial Board, which will consist of a diverse range of scholars. The Editor(s) will work with the Editorial Board, the publisher’s marketing and production staff, and the NPSA Executive Director to ensure timely and cost-efficient journal operations. In addition, the Editor(s)will provide review and logistical support for the Polity best article award (the Polity Prize), which is presented at the NPSA’s Annual Meeting.
Institutional Support: Polity will be a cooperative arrangement between the NPSA and the Editor(s)’ home institution(s). The Editor(s)’ home institution typically provides course releases for the Editor, staff support, and office facilities and equipment.
Time Period: The new Editor’s term will begin on 1st July 2020 and conclude on 30th June 2025, with the option of a further extension subject to mutual agreement between the editor(s) and NPSA.
Editor: Between the date the editorial contract is awarded and 1 July 2020, the new editor(s) will be able to draw on the experiences of the current editorial team of the Polity. To aid in training, the University of Chicago Press will conduct training for the editorial team in Chicago.
Selection Process: The Executive Council of the NPSA will review and evaluate all proposals and make the final selection.
To Apply: Applicants should submit a brief Letter of Intent by 3rd June 2019 and full proposals by 26th August 2019. Proposals should be limited to approximately 3,000-4,000 words (about 5-7 pages in length) and should include the following.
• Vision Statement: Goals and plans for the content of Polity. The vision statement should include an explanation of how the Editor(s) see themselves positioning the journal in relation to comparable and competing outlets.
• Editor/Co-Editor(s) Background Information/Qualifications: Basic information on Editor (or Co-Editors). Include a statement on qualifications, including evidence of the experience and ability of the Editor(s) to provide sound editorial judgment, lead a team, and successfully guide Polity both intellectually and administratively.
• Structure, Management and Responsibilities of the Editorship: A clear description of the division of responsibilities and decision-making authority of the proposed editorship and team structure. This should include titles, a delineation of tasks associated with each role, and a clear identification of who is accountable for editorial policies, operations, and outcomes. This description also should describe the role and ideal composition of the Editorial Board.
• Editorial Office Budget and Institutional Support: Budget plan for the operations of the editorial office that shows the level (and type) of home institutional support.
• Appendix: Attach current curricula vitae for all proposed members of the Editorial team.
• Official letter of support: Letter from the host institution indicating its support for the application and the means by which it will support the editor(s).
Editorial Selection Calendar
3rd August 2019 – Letters of Intent Due to the NPSA Executive Director, Jeffrey Kraus ([email protected]).
9th September 2019 – Full Proposals Due. Proposals should be submitted electronically in PDF format to the NPSA Executive Director Jeffrey Kraus ([email protected])
9th November 2019 – Decision from NPSA Executive Council. All applicants will be informed of the decision outcome no later than 16th November 2019
15th February 2020 – Final agreement completed between NPSA and new editorial team.
1 March 2020 – Public announcement of the new editorial team on the NPSA website.
April or May 2020 – Training session with University of Chicago Press production team in Chicago; also, consultation with the current editor regarding details of editorial office operations during the spring and June.
1st July 2020 – New editorial team’s five-year term begins.
