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Call for Policy and Practice Editor of Voluntary Sector Review

Application deadline: 19 September 2021

Policy Press and the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) invite applications for the position of Policy and Practice Editor to join the current editorial team of the Voluntary Sector Review (VSR) from December 2021 for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of renewing for a second two-year term.

The new Editor will join the current Policy and Practice Editor: Alison Body (University of Kent, UK). The Editor will work closely with the rest of the editorial team and the VSR Editorial Management Board.

Voluntary Sector Review is a journal with a growing international profile that publishes accessible, high-quality peer-reviewed papers on all aspects of the voluntary, community, civil society and third sectors. A unique feature of VSR is the combination of papers aimed at academic, policy and practice audiences. This is designed to ensure that the results of the latest academic research are made available to the widest possible audience and are grounded in a close engagement with both policy and practical issues.
Learn more about the journal

This is a voluntary role which offers experience and responsibilities on an academic journal. The workload varies during the year but it will mostly fit in with existing commitments.
The new Policy and Practice Editor will focus on editing policy-oriented papers. Other tasks will include:

Encouraging the submission of articles

To encourage, solicit and support authors from around the world in submission of Policy and Practice section articles. This includes new and existing authors (practitioners, researchers, policy makers and academics)
To promote VSR and the policy and practice section through international networks, contacts, conferences and other media
To provide appropriate support and comment to prospective authors based on initial papers outlines/abstracts
To update and circulate guidelines for writing practice papers to appropriate prospective authors.

Managing submitted articles - editorial process

To monitor and manage Policy and Practice submissions within the online Editorial Manager system
To assess and decide on appropriateness for the Policy and Practice section, whether to seek initial corrections or to send out for peer review (consulting other editors as appropriate)
To identifying suitable referees and manage feedback to authors
To make editorial decisions on acceptance, revision or rejection in the light of referees’ reports.

Organisation of the journal VSR

To participate in person or virtually in twice yearly meetings of the Editorial Management Board
To respond to discussion and queries during the year with the Editorial Team, the Board and Policy Press
To maintain and further develop the national and international reputation of the journal.

Applicants should have experience in research, research methods, academic writing and /or teaching in a relevant field, as well as experience of working or volunteering in the voluntary sector/civil society arena.

Applications should include a short CV (no more than two pages each) highlighting relevant experience and a brief account of their strategic plans to maintain and develop the VSR’s Policy and Practice Section.

Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the current Policy and Practice Editors informally to discuss the role further. Please contact either: Alison Body (a.m.body@kent.ac.uk), or Chris Dayson (c.dayson@shu.ac.uk).

The deadline for applications is 19 September 2021. Applications should be sent by email to: Féilim Ó hAdhmaill (F.OhAdhmaill@ucc.ie).

The Selection Committee:
Alison Body (a.m.body@kent.ac.uk), Policy and Practice Editor of VSR.
James Rees (James.Rees@wlv.ac.uk), Co-Editor of VSR and VSSN representative.
Julia Mortimer (Julia.Mortimer@bristol.ac.uk), Journals Director at Policy Press.

All applications will be considered by the Selection Committee, and a shortlist of candidates will be interviewed.