ECPR seeks co-editor for launch of new Open Access journal

The ECPR and Taylor & Francis are joining forces to start an innovative Open Access political science journal – Political Research Exchange

Scheduled to launch in early 2018, this will be the ECPR’s first Gold Open Access journal, and one of the profession’s first OA society journals.

Political Research Exchange will build on the ECPR’s highly successful publishing programme and continue its mission to make the very best research from the discipline available to the global community of political science scholars.

Alexandra Segerberg (Stockholm University) has already been appointed as first founding co-Editor in Chief. We now seek a second founding Co-Editor to work in partnership with her to launch the journal.  

The journal's mission

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the Open Access movement in the social sciences, leading the launch and development of a journal which will be defined by eight core principles:

Quality The same high editorial standards will be applied to PRE as to the ECPR’s other leading journals. A rigorous peer review process will be led by a respected editorial team; the accepted articles will then be published by Taylor & Francis on their state of the art online platform

Access The journal will be fully Gold Open Access with all content available to all

Speed Continuous online publication will mean authors can get their work out into the community faster, creating greater topicality, impact and engagement

Innovation Authors will be able to publish a range of different forms and lengths of articles as well as complementary media alongside them (video, data visualisations and audio), with active linking to datasets and code behind figures

Breadth By integrating the ECPR’s network of Standing Groups into the editorial structure of the journal, all sub-fields and related methodologies of political science and international relations will be represented and championed

Community Low article processing charges (APCs) will allow our colleagues with limited or no access to research funding to publish their work through Gold open access: no APCs will be applicable in year one and then capped at £100 for ECPR members after five years.  

Support Continuing the ECPR’s mission to nurture the next generation of scholars, the journal will support early career researchers through an expanded peer review process which will offer guidance and mentoring; APCs will be waived for all early career researchers

Impact A new ECPR blogsite will publish impact statements for each article with a link to the full text on the journal platform, helping to increase reach and readership. Inclusion in the SSCI is a key priority from day one 

These principles will be underpinned by a wealth of publishing experience and expertise at both the ECPR and Taylor & Francis.

About the role

With the organisational support and expertise of the ECPR and Taylor & Francis, the two founding editors will together play a significant role in establishing this new journal. They will establish and lead a broad editorial team of Subject Editors drawn from the ECPR’s community of Standing Groups.

Subject Editors will be responsible for the desk reject and peer review stages, making a final recommendation to publish to the editors. The full editorial team will be supported by an editorial office and online submission and peer review system.

Officially starting late summer 2017 in preparation for the journal’s launch in 2018, the editorial position will run for three years, renewable for a further three. Applicants should come from an ECPR member, or associate member, institution. Check here to see whether your institution is a current member.

The co-editors will receive an annual editorial fee and a fund to cover travel expenses incurred in attending meetings related to the journal.

Person specification

We are looking for someone with superb scholarly networks and the energy to forge a new path.

You should be enthused by the potential that Open Access offers to the discipline, such as easier sharing of ideas, widened audience, better understanding of the political structures and issues.

You will strive to retain the principles of quality scholarship, including rigorous peer review, excellent citation and readership metrics for authors, and maximising online discoverability.

How to apply

Please email ECPR’s Communications Manager Rebecca Gethen attaching a full CV, along with a covering letter explaining how you envisage the journal developing.

Deadline for applications: Thursday 3 July 2017.

Prospective applicants are welcome to contact current co-Editor Alex Segerberg. Informal enquires can also be made to the Chair of our Publications Sub-committee Mary Farrell or to the ECPR's Director Martin Bull.

The ECPR welcomes diversity and encourages applicants irrespective of race, gender, age, disability, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.