Deadline: 31 July 2025
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About the role
The Regional Studies Association seeks to appoint an Editor to its journal Area Development and Policy (ADP).
The successful candidate will join the existing team of Editors in managing the peer review of general and special issue submissions in their area of expertise, enhancing the journal’s reputation as a world-leading publication in the field of regional studies, and ensuring that it attracts the best authors and papers for its readership.
As an interdisciplinary journal, applications from candidates in the fields of regional studies, urban studies, geography and cognate disciplines are all welcome. However, expertise on Africa, India, and China, and in the fields of economic geography and urban geography are at this time particularly desirable.
An Editor of Area Development and Policy is expected to:
- Support the peer review process by selecting referees on appropriate manuscripts (assigned to them by the Editor in Chief) and making recommendations to the Editor in Chief based on referee reports. The peer review process is double blind on all submitted manuscripts.
- Use ScholarOne Manuscripts, the online submissions tracking system, to assist in the editorial process.
- Comment on and contribute to the editorials, which are usually written by the Editor in Chief.
- Continue the development of the journal and encourage submissions and special issues from leading writers in the field.
About the Journal
ADP concentrates on issues relating to the Greater BRICS and welcomes submissions emerging from these countries as well from the developed world. ADP places an emphasis on research which examines the role of diverse institutional configurations and values at both national and regional levels within the Greater BRICS and believes that theories should derive from the experiences of these countries and regions and not necessarily from the (possibly exceptional) experiences of Northwest Europe and North America.
ADP is dedicated to expanding common ground while accepting differences, improving mutual communication and increasing cooperation and shared learning.
Area Development and Policy is available as part of a bundle with the RSA journals: Regional Studies; Spatial Economic Analysis; Territory, Politics, Governance, and Finance & Space. Area Development and Policy is also available for separate subscription and is provided to all RSA members.
Key Skills and Attributes
- Experience in academic publishing and familiarity with all stages of the process.
- The capacity to devote time each week to the role, and to attend Editorial Board meetings and training sessions as needed.
- The ability to ensure all submitted manuscripts are considered in a prompt, consistent and professional manner.
- The ability to confidently use an online peer review management system (though training will be provided)
- The ability to select appropriate independent reviewers, provide authors with constructive feedback based on the reviews received and make recommendations to the Editor in Chief.
- A strong commitment to ethical rigour as well as knowledge of the COPE guidelines and commitment to ensure that the journal adheres to strict ethical standards at all times.
- A vision and enthusiasm for the continuous development of the journal.
Application instructions
In making expressions of interest candidates are invited to submit:
- A brief editorial manifesto (not more than 500 words) outlining their intentions for the safeguarding and further development of the academic excellence, relevance and scope of Area Development and Policy;
- An indication of host institution support; and
- A full CV – this may be in summary form but should give enough information to demonstrate embeddedness in the field, e.g., information about networks, conferences attended, relevant publications, professional memberships, etc.
Candidates are asked to provide a list of any potential conflicts of interest. The list should include the candidate’s other commitments and roles involving journals, books, and societies that produce publications (e.g. membership of publication oversight committees).
The selection of the new Editor will be made by the Regional Studies Association in the light of recommendations from the Regional Studies Association’s Journals Committee. The post is for commencement as soon as possible after the decision has been made.
The successful candidate is expected to join the Regional Studies Association as a member. For clarity, non-members may apply. The successful candidate is expected to engage with the Association and support the journal in this community. Further details are available from the Regional Studies Association Office or from the Association website at https://www.regionalstudies.org/about/memberships/.
Interested applicants with further questions about the journal are invited to contact the Head of Publishing, Tom Merriweather, at journals@regionalstudies.org.
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The journal is committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion within its editorial team and decision making processes. All applications will be treated as strictly confidential, and each will be judged on its merits without bias for seniority of institutional affiliation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.