Kevin Farnsworth and Zoë Irving complete their very successful term of office as joint editors of the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy (JICSP) at the end of December 2022. The Executive of the Social Policy Association (SPA) is keen to appoint a new editorial team at its January 2022 meeting, and it is hoped that the new editors will work alongside Kevin and Zoë from March 2022 before formally taking over on the 1st of January 2023. The appointment is normally for a period of five years.
JICSP is a distinctive and important comparative social policy journal which has a wide academic readership internationally. In January 2020 it was purchased by the SPA and is published by Cambridge University Press. In recent years, it has enhanced its reputation by attracting a range of topical and cutting edge articles from both new and established researchers across the globe. The editorship thus represents an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development of our discipline. It requires a broad knowledge of social policy and its subfields from an international perspective. The new editors are encouraged to bring in new ideas and approaches and work on achieving an impact factor. It is expected that the new editors maintain an open dialogue with the co-editors of its two sister journals, the Journal of Social Policy and Social Policy & Society to avoid undue competition and support each other in the future development of each journal.
It is the common experience of our other SPA journals, that the ‘joint editors’ model works well, and whilst it is not necessary for the joint editors to be based in the same institution, this can have distinct advantages. It is necessary for the editorial team to be members of the SPA on appointment and to remain so throughout the lifetime of their editorship. The SPA provides funds for administrative support. The new team may wish to establish its own methods of working, but Kevin and Zoë will be on hand to provide advice and support after the handover period if required.
The SPA Executive has established an Editorial Search Committee, the members of which are Karen Rowlingson (SPA Chair, University of Birmingham), Elke Heins (University of Edinburgh, SPA publications portfolio and member of the editorial board), and one additional committee member. Those who wish to be considered for appointment are invited to contact any member of the Search Committee in the first instance. We would also be grateful to receive suggestions as to whom we should approach regarding these important posts.
How to apply
Formal applications should be submitted by 1 November 2021 to Professor Karen Rowlingson. They should take the form of a letter from the prospective editorial team, which sets out how they plan to further develop the journal, paying particular attention to issues of content and strategic direction, and how the prospective team are suitable for the role. This should be accompanied by full CVs for all individuals within the prospective editorial team.
The central requirement of an editorial team is that between them they have a broad knowledge of the subject area and of the international social policy community. In addition, the Search Committee will be particularly interested to hear from colleagues with a clear commitment to the Social Policy Association and its goals and values, and have a track record of successful academic editorial experience. The Search Committee will also seek assurances that applicants would have the support of their institution or department were they to undertake what is an important and demanding task. We will also be keen to understand how the roles will be managed especially where applicants are not co-located.
The closing date for receipt of applications, sent to k.rowlingson@bham.ac.uk is 1 November 2021.