Only two weeks left to apply for editorship of Political Data Yearbook

About the journal

Published in association with the ECPR’s flagship journal, the European Journal of Political Research (EJPR), the Political Data Yearbook (PDY) contains comprehensive and authoritative data and analysis of electoral results, national referenda, changes in government, and institutional reforms for a range of countries, within and beyond the EU. The online version PDY:Interactive (PDYi) is a unique, freely available data source which builds on the PDY content. PDYi provides the data in a fully searchable and downloadable format, making it an invaluable tool for those working in this area of the profession. The current editorial team comprises Andreas Bågenholm, University of Gothenburg; Kevin Deegan-Krause, Wayne State University; and Liam Weeks, University College Cork.

About the role

Kevin Deegan-Krause was instrumental in establishing PDY:Interactive with the publishers (Wiley), and has led the development of the online version throughout his term. Kevin completes his term in 2017, so the ECPR is seeking a replacement to continue his work. The editor will be responsible for overall management of the PDYi database of electoral, governmental and parliamentary data, including the architecture of the current dataset, the expansion and consolidation of its existing archive, the timely addition of new data resulting from contemporary political changes in the 38 countries currently covered, and the development of outreach to increase the visibility of the dataset. Responsibilities also include work on the PDY print edition related to annual data gathering and presentation.

The core elements of the role include (but would not be limited to):

• Working with the other co-editors, chapter authors, publisher, and IT staff to manage the overall dataset architecture, website design and data presentation;
• Consolidating and extending the historical coverage of the dataset and maintaining data accuracy;
• Frequent updating of the database to reflect the results of elections, government and parliamentary changes and other covered political events;
• Developing the PDY blog and other channels for disseminating PDY data; 
• Working with the other co-editors on aspects of the annual print edition including co-authoring the annual introductory article, ensuring the consistency of print edition and online data, editing print-edition articles, maintaining relationships with print-edition authors and recruiting new authors where necessary, and reports to the ECPR Publications Board.

The term will start on 1 May 2017 and will run for three years, with the option to renew for a further three.

The Editor

The ECPR seeks an energetic political scientist with strong quantitative and database skills and a wide range of contacts in Europe and the rest of the world. Ideally, candidates should have some experience of the international publishing industry, either as an editor or author, and a high proficiency in written English if it is not their first language.
We welcome applications from all sections of the political science community. The successful applicant will be from an ECPR member or Associate Member, or an institution which is committed to joining the ECPR at least for the duration of the Editorship. ECPR welcomes diversity and encourages people irrespective of their race, gender, marital status, age, disability, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
The successful applicant will receive an annual editorial fee and a fund to cover travel expenses incurred in attending meetings related to the journal.

Application process

To apply, please email your CV, along with a covering letter explaining how you would develop the publication under your editorship, to ECPR Communications Manager Rebecca Gethen. The closing date is 20 February 2017. For further information, contact either Rebecca Gethen or the editors – find editors' contact details on the website.

Keywords: Elections, European Politics, Government, Parliaments, Political Leadership, Political Parties, Voting, Party Members, Electoral Behaviour