The American Ethnologist (AE), now in its 47th volume year, is published quarterly. AE is a premier journal in sociocultural anthropology, known for publishing articles that integrate innovative theory with ethnography. It is highly selective, receives top submissions, and ranks among anthropology journals with the highest impact factors. The journal is one of the most widely read publications in the discipline, with high and increasing article downloads and a global readership. In addition to its hallmark cutting-edge research articles, the journal also publishes innovative forums and commentaries on breaking events.
The AES editor(s) must be prepared to maintain the journal’s high standards while also actively encouraging innovative scholarship in sociocultural anthropology. The work of the AES editor(s) includes: (1) managing the processes of manuscript submission, review, and publication – including use of relevant software; (2) leading an editorial staff (including a full-time AE copy-editor, a part-time editorial office manager and a book review copy editor); (3) strategic planning and budgeting for the journal with the AES board; (4) collaborating with the AES board to expand the journal’s online presence (web, social media); and (5) engaging with diverse constituencies, including authors and prospective authors, manuscript reviewers, the AE Editorial Board, the AAA Publications Office, the AES Board, and Wiley Blackwell staff. The editor(s) will serve as an ex officio member of the AES Board and participate in its biannual meetings (at the annual meetings of the AAA and the Spring meeting of the AES).
Previous editorial experience is not required; however, the nomination letter should provide clear evidence of qualifications in these areas. AES normally expects the editor(s) to hold tenured academic position(s).
The successful candidate(s) will be selected by mid-2021. Orientation sessions on publishing will be held at the 2021 annual meeting of the American Anthropological Association. The new editor(s) will shadow the current editors for a period of time before July 2022. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to negotiate institutional support with their home institution – potentially including office space, course release, various forms of support in kind (telephone and internet access), and graduate student assistance. AES also provides some support for these purposes and for travel to AAA/AES conferences, but the editorship itself is not a paid position. The selection of the editor(s) is not contingent on particular levels of institutional support, but the search committee asks candidates at the finalist stage to discuss the prospects concretely with their department chair and/or dean, and to have the appropriate university officials confirm in writing what resources and support they will offer during the editorial term.
The current editors, Stacy Pigg and Michael Hathaway (editors.americanethnologist@gmail.com), are available for questions from colleagues interested in the position.
Nominations, self-nominations, and inquiries related to the search should be sent to Jacqueline Solway, the AES President (jsolway@trentu.ca). The subject line of all emails must say “AE Editor nomination.” The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2021. The search committee will contact nominees to invite their applications. Candidates will be asked to send a letter outlining their qualifications (as above) and editorial vision, along with a curriculum vitae, to the search committee via e-mail to Jacqueline Solway. Self-nominees may include this information with their initial expression of interest. The search committee will contact short-listed finalists during April to arrange interviews via Zoom shortly thereafter. We welcome applications from anyone prepared to enjoy the work, build on AE’s strengths, push its boundaries and meet the challenges of maintaining AE as a leading forum for creative ethnographic scholarship and debate.
Members of the search committee are Jacqueline Solway (chair), Carolyn Rouse, Ken Guest and Hugh Gusterson.
