The Royal Historical Society seeks to appoint a Co-Editor for its academic journal, Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, published by Cambridge University Press.
The new Co-Editor will work alongside Dr Jan Machielsen (Cardiff University) who has edited the journal since January 2024. The new appointment will take effect from 1 January 2025 or soon after. After an initial probationary period, the appointment will run for a minimum of two years (to January 2027) with the option to extend for a further two years (January 2029).
Applicants must be Fellows of the Royal Historical Society.
The Co-Editors will be supported in their work by the journal’s UK Editorial and International Advisory boards. Further support is provided by the Office of the Royal Historical Society and the journal’s publisher, Cambridge University Press.
This is an exciting phase for the journal as we extend its scale and scope. If you wish to discuss the journal or the Co-Editor post in advance of an application, please contact Professor Jane Winters, RHS Vice-President Publications (jane.winters@sas.ac.uk).
The deadline for applications, via the RHS Applications Portal, is 11:59PM, Friday 15 November 2024.
About the journal
Transactions of the Royal Historical Society is the flagship journal of the Royal Historical Society (RHS). It has been publishing the highest quality scholarship in history for over 150 years.
In 2021, the journal ‘opened up’ to invite and accept submissions from all historians, worldwide. Today’s journal publishes a wide range of research articles and commentaries on historical approaches, practice and debate. In addition to traditional 10-12,000 word research articles, Transactions also welcomes shorter, innovative commentary articles.
In 2023, we introduced the ‘Common Room’ — a section of the journal dedicated to commentaries and think pieces by academic historians and historical practitioners. From August 2024, all articles accepted for publication in Transactions automatically appear Open Access, with no charge to the author, ensuring the widest possible circulation and readership for new work.
The journal invites articles from authors at every career stage. In line with the Society’s commitment to supporting postgraduate and early career historians, Transactions seeks to engage constructively and positively with first-time authors. We also publish, and invite, articles and commentaries from historians working outside Higher Education in related sectors such as heritage.
The journal’s editorial team provides prompt responses and peer review. Articles are published with Cambridge University Press, online via CUP’s FirstView, and in an annual print volume.
About the Co-Editor role
The new Co-Editor will support, and work closely with, the current Editor, Dr Jan Machielsen, in developing the journal’s scope and scale and further enhancing its profile and intellectual reputation.
We are looking for a Co-Editor with research expertise that complements that of Dr Machielsen, a historian of early modern Europe, and befits a wide-ranging generalist journal. Applications from those working in the modern period and/or non-European or world history are especially welcome. Given the nature of this role, the capacity for effective collaborative working is another essential requirement.
In addition to experience of academic editorial work, broadly defined, the successful candidate will have genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for the broad, interdisciplinary scope of the journal and creative, imaginative and sustainable ideas for its further development.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in taking part in methodologically diverse historical debates, in connecting with new authors and new audiences, and in actively promoting Transactions as a home for research articles that are novel and accessible in equal measure. The successful candidate must also be willing to meet the target levels for published articles as the Society and CUP look to increase the scale of Transactions year on year.
The position attracts an annual honorarium linked to the volume of submissions and currently set at £500.
The successful candidate will hopefully be able up the position on or soon after 1 January 2025. S/he will be fully supported by the existing Editor, the Society’s Office and the UK Editorial and International Advisory boards. The successful candidate will have a six-month trial period before committing to take on the position.
Responsibilities of the Co-Editor
- Developing and implementing a strategy to extend the journal, further enhancing its position both in the academic community and in relation to other leading journals
- Reading submissions in a timely fashion and deciding whether the article should be rejected or continue to external peer review
- Organising the peer-review process, all conducted through the online system, Scholar One, including identifying appropriate reviewers and ensuring that reports are received in a reasonable timeframe
- Making timely decisions, based on peer-review reports, as to whether an article should be accepted for publication
- Commissioning and overseeing the production of occasional alternative formats, such as Special Issues, relevant to the journal’s aims and scope
- Reporting to the RHS President, RHS Vice-President, Publications, and trustees (principally the Society’s Publication Committee as well as Council) on editorial strategy, progress, and proposed developments; also attending one RHS Publication Committee meeting, for editors, held each June
- Helping to organise and attending annual meetings of the UK Editorial and International Advisory boards
- Acting as a liaison between the journal and the broader academic community, including identifying promising contributors and/or commissioning articles.
Specifications
In appointing a Co-Editor for Transactions, the Society seeks applicants who have:
- Experience of academic editorial work, broadly defined
- Expertise in some field of interest in the journal’s scope, as well as a willingness to work beyond their own specific expertise
- Specialist knowledge of a field of historical research which complements that of the existing Editor, Dr Jan Machielsen (a historian of early modern Europe)
- Existing scholarly networks and experience of academic collaboration and/or organisation
- Demonstrable experience of effective collaborative working
- Flexibility to be able to support the journal’s editorial process throughout the calendar year
- Knowledge and experience of academic publishing and editing processes
- A PhD or similar in a relevant field. We anticipate that this position might be of interest to both early and mid-career academics; we are happy to receive applications from individuals at different career stages.
- Is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
How to apply
Submission must be made via the Society’s applications platform.
Those interested in making an application for one of the two Editors posts should send:
- a CV (no more than 3 pages)
- a letter / statement outlining their ability to perform the role and relevant experience
- the names of two referees. We will not contact referees without prior permission
Questions about the application process may be sent to: administration@royalhistsoc.org.
Deadline for applications: 11:59PM, Friday 15th November 2024