Applications Invited for Editorship of Contemporary Sociology
Applications are invited for the editorship of Contemporary Sociology.
The official term for the new editors (or co-editors) will commence in January 2009 (the editorial transition actually will start in summer 2008) and is for a minimum of three years (until December 2011) with a possible reappointment of up to an additional three years.
Contemporary Sociology publishes reviews and critical discussions of recent works in sociology and in related disciplines that merit the attention of sociologists. Since not all sociological publications can be reviewed, a selection is made to reflect important trends and issues in the field. (It does not accept unsolicited reviews.)
Qualifications
Candidates must be members of the ASA and hold a tenured position or equivalent in an academic or non-academic setting. Applications from members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.
In accordance with ASA’s mission to publish high quality scholarship, the following criteria are considered in selecting editors:
(1) An established record of scholarship;
(2) Evidence of understanding the mission of the journal/series and its operation, indicated by experience with the journal/series across any of a wide variety of activities (submission, reviewing, editorial board experience);
(3) Assessment of the present state of the journal/series, its strengths and challenges, and a vision for the journal/series’ future;
(4) Openness to the different methods, theories, and approaches to sociology; and
(5) A record of responsible service to scholarly publishing and evidence of organizational skill and intellectual leadership.
The time demands associated with these responsibilities vary from week to week, but in general, require one full day per week.
ASA encourages applications for both sole editorship and co-editorships.
Applications will be reviewed by the Committee on Publications in December 2007. It is possible that prospective editors may be contacted to clarify any issues raised in the deliberations. A list (which may be ranked or unranked) will be forwarded to ASA Council for review in early 2008. The Council appoints the editors. The editors are contacted by the ASA Secretary.
The application packet should indicate the editorship to which you are applying and should include:
(1) Vision Statement: Set forth your goals and plans for the content of the journal. This may include an assessment of the current strengths, weaknesses, or gaps that you plan to address and how you will operationalize your plan.
(2) Editor/Co-Editor Background Information: The name, affiliation, and other important information about the potential editor and, if applicable, co-editors is required. Describe the qualifications of each person that supports their inclusion. Evidence of the ability and experience of the editor and editorial team to provide sound judgment and guidance to potential ASA authors is central to the application. Provide a clear description of and justification for the structure of the editorial office and responsibilities, as you envision them at this point. Name only those individuals who will serve as editor/co-editor. Please do not include names of individuals that you would like/plan to include on the larger editorial board. Contacting potential editorial board members can be a time-consuming task that should be done only after an editor is selected.
(3) Institutional Support: It is important for candidates to consider and address the feasibility of serving as editor in light of the resources ASA can provide and those likely to be available to the candidate. The ASA does not pay for office space or release time, but provides basic financial support for office resources as necessary to journal editors. This support may include funds for clerical assistance, office supplies, postage, and telephone beyond what will be provided by the editor's home institution. Since the support offered by different institutions varies widely, you are encouraged to contact the Executive Office as necessary in order to ensure the feasibility of your application. At this point in the submission process, letters of support from deans or other appropriate institutional officials are recommended but not required. Specific arrangements with a potential new editor and with that individual and his or her institution will occur during the period after the ASA Council makes a selection and the ASA Secretary, with support from the ASA Executive Officer, works out the final agreement with this candidate.
Application packets (as described above) should be no more than five pages (excluding vitae) and should be sent by November 1, 2007, to: Karen Gray Edwards, Director of Publications and Membership, ASA, 1430 K Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005; edwards@asanet.org. 
