Call for Nominations for Sites General Editor from 2020 - March 2023

Sites is a peer reviewed journal of social anthropology and cultural studies dedicated to publishing scholarly papers which explore aspects of Pacific societies and cultures. We define the Pacific in its widest possible sense to include the Pacific Rim, Oceania, New Zealand and the diasporas of people outwards from these regions. We welcome original papers focused on empirical studies or theoretical, methodological or pedagogical topics which fall within this broad purview. Our journal is trans and multidisciplinary and we invite submissions from scholars from a diverse array of disciplinary traditions.

As our current General Editor Associate Professor Chrystal Jaye has completed her successful term as editor, we now seek nominations for the position of General Editor (March 2020- March 2023). Applicants do not need to be based in Otago University.

The job requires the editor to produce two journal issues per year, with around 6–8 articles per issue although one of these may be a special issue of the journal under a guest editor. The editor’s position is honorary (ie unpaid service) but the editor is assisted in this task by paid copy editors, a paid secretary to the board, the honorary editorial board and Les O’Neil the paid layout editor.

The editor is responsible for ensuring overall suitability of published articles in line with the journal’s aims, and quality control of the process to publication including the double-blind peer reviewing of articles, copyediting and the timely production of issues for the June and December deadlines for publication. The editor is also expected to attend 3 editorial board meetings per year which can be by video conferencing or in person. Issues for publication in 2020 are already in preparation and are currently being supervised by the Chair of the Editorial Board until an appointment is made.

At the end of the term, this position also includes a two-month period of handover of information and support to an incoming editor during Feb - March of 2023.

Both self nominations and peer nominations are accepted.

Previous experience in editing a special issue of the journal would be advantageous but is not essential. Support with editing software on the Open Journal software system will be provided by Otago IT services and current board members who have previously served as editors.

Closing date for nominations is 16th March 2020. Please nominate by sending an email to the secretary of the Sites Editorial Board (molly.mccormick@otago.ac.nz) addressed to the Chair of the Editorial Board Prof. Ruth Fitzgerald (ruth.fitzgerald@otago.ac.nz). Along with this nomination please also attach a truncated CV which details relevant experience ie editing for the position.

The process for selection of the incoming editor will be through a Board Meeting vote in the case of multiple nominees for the position and through a Board Meeting vote of confidence if there is only one nominee which could be handled by email only. (Nominees who are also board members will be recused from such a meeting).

General Personal and Professional Attributes for the Position:

  • Capacity to work under pressure to achieve publication deadlines.

  • Good interpersonal skills to relate to copyeditors, authors, special editors, layout editor, reviewers, other technical and financial support staff and board members.

  • An established reputation of high quality scholarship in the fields of either cultural studies or social anthropology.

  • Experience in editing academic writing.

Please Note: All editors will be required to hold an ORCID ID (an easy thing to obtain) in order to assist with the increasing visibility of Sites.