JDH Seeks Book Reviews Editor

Society News

7 May 2015

JDH Seeks Book Reviews Editor

The Design History Society invites applications to serve on the editorial board of the Journal of Design History as Book Reviews Editor. The term of office is 5 years beginning formally in January 2016, but with a hand over period with the existing Reviews Editor from September 2015.
The closing date for application is 1st August, 2015. Applicants should submit a letter addressing the job description and person specification (as described below) and a CV to the DHS Administrator, Elli Michaela Young (designhistorysociety@gmail.com)
Book Reviews Editor:

Job Description

The Reviews Editor has the following responsibilities and duties:

• attending meetings of the Board twice a year, one of which is normally in London, and such virtual meetings as may be arranged at other times
• commissioning and evaluating reviews and review articles of appropriate publications and exhibitions using the on-line manuscript management system and liaising with production staff in their preparation for publication
• providing regular reports on the progress of reviews to the EB and consulting on reviews with EB and AB members
• additionally contributing to the peer review of articles as Assigned Editor and reviewing other manuscripts received
• contributing to the formation of Journal policy and initiatives as a member of the EB
• supporting the Chair and Managing Editor in the successful management of the Journal on behalf of the Design History Society, including deputising for them where appropriate
• Reasonable expenses for approved travel to meetings and other occasions where the editor is representing the Journal will be reimbursed. An honorarium will be paid annually by the publisher. This position will require a regular commitment of a half a day each week. The normal term of office is five years from January 2016, which may be extended for up to a further two years by mutual agreement with the Design History Society to achieve optimal continuity and balance of expertise in the Board.

Person Specification

The successful applicant will:

• have a proven record of research and scholarship relevant to the field of history of design and related professions, e.g. design and design education, curatorship and collections management
• have experience of editorial revision for publication, including being able to communicate effectively and tactfully with contributors about desirable revisions
• provide evidence of being able to manage a sustained manuscript commissioning process with editorial revision to a high standard
• be or be willing to become an active member of the Society
• provide evidence of being able to increase the Journal's impact on the subject through developing the review features of the Journal
• have regular access to a networked computer, as the editorial process is managed within a web-based system
• possess high organisational and communication skills
• be well networked in the subject and able to cultivate and exploit this network to the benefit of the JDH.

The Reviews Editor may reside anywhere in the world as long as travel to London, Oxford and other DHS conference locations (as required) for meetings twice a year is practicable. While employment in an institution of Higher Education or a museum may be relevant, this is not a requirement. A good reading knowledge of languages other than English would be an advantage.