Call for New Editor(s)-in-Chief for the Journal of Borderlands Studies

Riceviamo da Anna Casaglia e pubblichiamo: 

Call for New Editor(s)-in-Chief for the Journal of Borderlands Studies

CLOSING DATE: September 30, 2025

The Association for Borderlands Studies (ABS) is a leading interdisciplinary scholarly organization dedicated to fostering research into a range of border issues. Founded in 1976 with an initial emphasis on the study of the US-Mexico borderlands, ABS presently encompasses an interdisciplinary membership of scholars representing the Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Europe.

The Journal of Borderlands Studies (JBS) stands as the premier venue for scholarship in border studies, and is the primary publication of the ABS. The bimonthly (6 issues per year) peer-reviewed research journal has been continuously published since 1985 and is currently published and distributed by Taylor and Francis. The ABS seeks proposals from interested parties willing to assume the pivotal role of Editor-in-Chief, starting in April 2026.

We are seeking an editor or a complementary pair of editors committed to providing the management and supervision of the editorial review and the document production that is necessary to support and enhance a high quality, peer-reviewed academic journal. The ideal candidate(s) will also aim to improve the journal’s indexing ranking and impact factor. The Editor(s) will champion the ABS mission of scholarly research and exchange of ideas concerning international borderlands.

Key responsibilities include:

  1. Leading the JBS Editorial Team: Coordinate and lead JBS editorial team (currently composed of 10 regional editors, 2 book review editors and an assistant) in the production of articles, special issues, and book reviews that contribute to broaden academic discussion on borders and borderlands
  2. Promoting Special Issues: Actively promote the publication of special issues (approximately 3 per year) and assist the guest editors in delivering their proposals
  3. Facilitating Team Collaboration: Organize regular online meetings of the JBS editorial team and regional editors
  4. Enhancing Diversity: Work to increase disciplinary, theoretical and regional diversity of research on borders and borderlands world wide
  5. Reporting: Report annually to the ABS board and its officers and at the business meeting during the ABS Annual Conference
  6. Strategy: Formulate proposals to further develop the journal, discuss them with the ABS Board and Executive, and implement approved initiatives.
  7. Production Coordination: Coordinate the timing and production of JBS issues (6 per year) with Taylor and Francis and JBS editorial assistant

We encourage joint applications from pairs of applicants based at different institutions who can collaborate effectively in the journal’s editorial leadership. Applicants should be aware that the current geographical distribution of JBS publications (according to the affiliation of authors) as well as JBS readership (according to article downloads) is the following: approximately 50% from Europe, 25% from North America, and 25% from the rest of the world. We welcome editors based anywhere in the world; however, given that European and North American scholarship represents the majority of our editorial activity, it is essential that all applicants—regardless of their geographical location—demonstrate strong connections with these two regional academic communities of border scholars.

To be considered for a post, please provide the following (in a combined .doc or .pdf document) as an attachment to your application email to JBSeditor@absborderlands.org:

  • Expression of Interest including (max 3 pages):

–   your editorial and scholarly philosophy and explaining how this philosophy matches with that of the Association and past management of the Journal, including its aims and scope, and multidisciplinary approach to border studies;

– your ideas for the future development of the journal, including possible adaptations to support and reflect the growth and fast evolving field of border studies;

–  your preferred approach towards Open Access and how to implement it in an inclusive and sustainable way;

–  your commitment to the journal, and how it will be secured by institutional support, both in terms of the time dedicated to work as Editor-in-Chief, and access to funds to support necessary travel (i.e., attending in person the ABS Annual Conference);

– your involvement with the ABS and your dedication to fostering a productive and continuous dialogue with the Association;

–    a five-year plan that addresses the growth of the subscription base and increasing the quality of the journal.

  • A letter from the Provost, relevant academic Dean, or other Chief Academic Officer that documents the institutional commitment.
  • CV

Transition of the editorship will take place in April 2026.

Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at the email address JBSeditor@absborderlands.org

       

© 2023 ASSOCIAZIONE DEI GEOGRAFI ITALIANI C.F: 97043010582

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L’Associazione dei Geografi Italiani, dove afferiscono gli studiosi di discipline geografiche che a diverso titolo e ruolo operano nelle Università italiane, è stata costituita per far fronte al crescente bisogno di organizzazione della ricerca geografica in relazione alla molteplicità dei processi culturali innestatisi in tempi recenti a scala nazionale e internazionale. Il continuo impegno dell’A.Ge.I. è testimoniato da numerose iniziative culturali, dall’attività dei gruppi di lavoro nell’approfondimento di temi di grande interesse epistemologico, politico, sociale e dagli studi per la conoscenza del territorio.

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