Editor-in-Chief (Freelance) – British Art Studies

An editor-in-chief is sought to lead the team at British Art Studies (BAS). Working collaboratively with authors and colleagues at the journal, the editor-in-chief will set the direction for future issues. They will proactively commission material for publication and carry out hands-on editorial work such as line editing texts and developing projects with authors. This is an exciting new opportunity to develop the future of BAS.

About The Journal

BAS is a peer-reviewed and open access journal for new research on the histories of British art, architecture and visual culture. Opening and testing the boundaries of “British” as a category, and reflecting critically on methodologies for British art history, are core areas of focus for the journal. As a digital-only platform, the journal also explores how to present research in novel ways online, experimenting with new tools and feature formats. In 2025, an updated design will mark the tenth anniversary of BAS.

Submissions are received through an open call, and the editors solicit new material at conferences and events, and within professional networks. BAS is co-published by two research centres, the Paul Mellon Centre (PMC) and the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA), and its broad editorial priorities reflect the strategic aims of those institutions.

About The Role

The postholder will replace the outgoing editor-in-chief. They will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to BAS, and develop networks of potential contributors. The editor-in-chief will have a strong sense of current and potential research questions, directions and themes in British art studies, as well as more broadly for art history and adjacent areas.

The editor-in-chief will work closely with the managing editor, who project manages and oversees all aspects of the publication. They will join a team of several contributing editors who meet monthly and share in developing content and journal policy. The editor-in-chief will be supported by and report to a member of the PMC’s Senior Leadership Team. The postholder does not have to be based in the UK.

About The Scope Of Work

The time commitment would be commensurate to one day per week, although there is flexibility in this depending on the publication schedule of the journal. Over the past year, we have received just under sixty submissions (via the open call and commissioning by editors), most of which were sent to peer review and evaluated by the editorial team. Across our content currently in development we are also working with nearly one hundred authors, many of whom are contributing to articles or features in themed special issues. The editor-in-chief must handle these author relationships with care and diplomacy, meeting high standards of confidentiality and professionalism in their work at the journal.

The editor-in-chief would be employed on a freelance basis for a fixed term of two years. A fixed fee of £12,000 per annum is offered in return for this work. The post is available from Spring 2025. The contract is offered for twenty-four months with the possibility (by agreement) to extend it for a further twelve months.

Main Responsibilities and Expectations

Strategy and Management

The Postholder Will:

• lead on strategic direction of BAS, in alignment with the mission of the journal and its co-publishers, the PMC and YCBA
• develop publishing policy, in collaboration with the editorial team and advisors
• contribute to and develop digital publication knowledge and ideas

Content Development

The Postholder Will:

• proactively commission journal content
• act as a point of contact for inquiries
• assist with peer review and suggest referees for submissions

Editing

The Postholder Will:

• determine which manuscripts to send to peer review, read all peer-reviewed manuscripts and select material for publication
• provide guidance to authors concerning the form and content of submissions
• carry out line editing and developmental editing (to be shared with other editors)
• make final decisions regarding acceptance or rejection of submissions

Accountability

The Postholder Will:

• maintain academic and professional standards of published material
• manage author relationships with care and diplomacy
• represent the journal at events and to wider networks
• ensure that content and direction align with the missions of PMC and YCBA

Person Specification

Previous Experience

The Successful Applicant Should Have:

• experience of editorial work
• experience of collaborative projects/working
• expertise in the histories of British art, architecture or visual culture

Essentials

The Successful Applicant Should Have:

• editorial experience and a proven commitment to publishing
• expertise and in-depth knowledge of British art and its histories
• a PhD in British art history or equivalent experience
• a proven publication record
• a collaborative approach to working
• a commitment to confidentiality in the editorial process
• excellent time-management skills
• the ability to be proactive and be confident working in a self-motivated way
• the ability to work on a number of different projects simultaneously and efficiently, working to meet deadlines set by the managing editor

Desirables

Preferably, The Successful Applicant Will Have:

• knowledge/experience of digital publishing

Application Process

Application Link

If you have any issues applying or have any queries about the web application form, please contact the HR team at recruitment@paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk

Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be asked to provide a writing sample and a pre-recorded presentation of up to ten minutes in length.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 10am GMT, on 27 January 2025.

Interviews

Interviews for the post will be held online in the week commencing 10 February 2025.

Enquiries

Queries about the post should be addressed to Gabriella Rhodes, Senior HR Advisor at recruitment@paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk