Practicing Anthropology
Call for editor(s)
Proposal Due: May 1, 2024

The Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA) invites proposals to provide editorial stewardship for Practicing Anthropology, beginning January 1, 2025, for three years (December 31, 2027 end date).

Practicing Anthropology (PA) is a quarterly publication that focuses on timely issues and breaking topics related to the application of the social sciences to contemporary issues. PA’s reputation is based on publishing relevant and concise articles and commentary that appear quickly to be valuable to projects, organizations, and practitioners in the field. Practicing Anthropology is a benefit of membership in the SfAA and is available to institutional (library) subscribers.

Editing Practicing Anthropology offers a unique opportunity to engage with the immediacy of the applied social sciences in a contemporary context. The editor(s) is not expected to have expertise in all areas of the applied social sciences but must be interested in creatively developing conversations within and across different forms of practice.

The fundamental responsibility of the new editor(s) will be to expertly guide the solicitation, editorial review, selection, and publication of articles and special issues. An enthusiastic editorial board and an advisory board support the editor(s). The editor(s) safeguard collegiality in the field and promote authors’ intellectual development and career progress by providing timely and constructive editorial reviews, publication decisions, and publication of accepted manuscripts. In partnership with PA’s business partner, Taylor & Francis, submissions and reviews are managed through the journal’s ScholarOne portal, and the editorial team maintains and updates the portal as needed.

Responsibilities of the editor(s) also include promoting the journal and applied social scientists by providing presentations, workshops, and materials to potential authors at the SfAA meetings and other relevant professional meetings. The editors also communicate with the SfAA regularly and provide annual reports to the SfAA. PA’s editor(s) are appointed by and report to the SfAA Board of Directors. Upon appointment, the editor(s) become ex-officio, non-voting member of the SfAA Board. The editorial team is also responsible for maintaining PA’s web and social media presence.

Proposal Considerations:
The SfAA Board invites submissions from a wide range of candidate profiles. We welcome proposals for collaborative or co-editor teams. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups and a range of backgrounds, including racial, ethnic, gender and sexual identities, and applied/practicing/professional anthropologists. Candidates should describe prior editorial experience in their proposals.
 
A successful proposal will include:

1. A “Call for Papers” for a late-2025 Special Issue (to illustrate the applicant’s conceptual philosophy for the journal);
2. A plan for the timely processing, review, and publication of high-quality manuscripts grounded in practicing anthropology and applied social sciences;
3. An infrastructure that includes institutional support (e.g. physical space, finances, dedicated graduate assistants, travel funds, or other staffing) or any additional financial or other support;
4. And special features such as a plan for mentorship of newly established authors or graduate student reviewers and staff, outreach at conferences, or dynamic use of social media.

Proposals will be evaluated considering all four criteria and individual qualifications. Contacts and Deadline:
Potential applicants should contact Jennifer.wies@eku.edu, SfAA President, with queries regarding the budget, the publication process, or other aspects of PA’s operations.

Send proposals as a single PDF document to Jennifer.wies@eku.edu. The proposal deadline is May 1, 2024. The new editors will be on-boarded during the Summer of 2024 to overlap with the current editorial team in the interest of a smooth transition.