Due to the retirement of two long-standing members of the board, the Journal of Family Therapy is inviting expressions of interest to take up two new posts on its editorial board. These are honorary positions and will run for five years initially (and are renewable subsequently).

The role of editorial board members

Membership of our international board involves playing an active role in the journal’s development, with some responsibility for the published content, both in print and online. Accordingly, they have a role in monitoring publication output and the activity of the editor. They should strive to ensure that the needs of both readers and authors are met, and ensure high quality publications. Specific duties include:

• Reviewing: An editorial board member may expect to review 4-6 papers each year. Unless they have exceptional reasons for not doing so, an editorial board member should be prepared to deal with all manuscripts they receive within 4 weeks.
• Development of journal policy: Input from editorial board members with regard to the development of journal policies and strategy is welcomed by the editor and the Association for Family Therapy. This may include contributing to time limited working groups.
• Supporting the journal: Editorial board members of the Journal of Family Therapy are ambassadors for the journal. They are encouraged to proactively participate in the development of the journal including, but not limited to:
  • Encouraging submissions of high quality from colleagues and contacts made at conferences
  • Choosing the journal as their first choice for submission of their own work whenever appropriate
  • Serving as guest editors themselves where appropriate
  • Submitting ideas to the editor for special issues and reviewing articles and recommending possible guest editors/authors
  • Attendance at editorial board meetings (3 times a year) – likely to be virtual meetings only.

Qualities

Qualities in board members should include:

• Reliability – ensuring that tasks are carried out to meet deadlines
• Ethical – able to hold a position of responsibility for ensuring that the journal holds to values of accessibility and relevance for all communities.
• Visionary – having a vision of the development of the journal over the next 5 years
• Commitment to developing and improving the journal.
  

Experience

Board members should have experience in:

• reviewing papers for publication
• publishing papers in peer reviewed journals.  
  

Abilities

Board members should be able to:

• communicate fluently verbally and in writing
• maintain academic standards in considering submissions
• offer feedback in a way that encourage authors to enhance the quality of submissions
• collaborate effectively in teams
• encourage others to contribute to the journal.
  
  

Term of office

Board members sign an agreement when joining the board which is renewable after 5 years.

Interests

At this time (building upon the balance of interests in the existing board) new board members with knowledge and expertise in the following fields of study would be particularly welcomed:

• The impact of racism, poverty and structural inequalities
• Post-colonial studies
• Neurodiversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational values and we would particularly welcome applications from global majority and ethnic minority practitioners and scholars. Please send CVs as well as a brief statement describing the contribution that you would hope to make to the board, and demonstrating that you have the listed qualities, experience and abilities to office@aft.org.uk by 12th September 2023.

We very much welcome informal inquiries: please contact sarah.helps@aft.org.uk / 07801 843705

The journal editor alongside members of the editorial board will make these appointments on the basis of these expressions of interest (i.e. without any interviews).