NAGT Announces Search for Journal of Geoscience Education Editor

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) is seeking a new Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE). Margaret Crowder, 2^nd Vice President of NAGT, will lead the search committee.

The Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) is a peer-reviewed publication for geoscience education research, and serves as an international forum for research concerning the pedagogy, assessment, and philosophy of teaching and learning about the geosciences and related domains. JGE is a publication of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, a non-profit, member-driven organization that supports a diverse, inclusive, and thriving community of educators and education researchers to improve teaching and learning about the Earth. JGE is published four times per year in February, May, August and November, and includes articles in four categories: Curriculum & Instruction, Research, Commentaries, and Literature Reviews.

The journal is in a growth phase, with submissions, citations, and downloads all increasing. We seek an individual who will continue to expand the journal's impact and act as a strong advocate for the journal and research in geoscience education. More information about the journal can be found in the Editor's Annual Report and the journal web page.

In overseeing the journal, the Editor-in-Chief is responsible for its ability to support robust geoscience education research and its use in all aspects of teaching and learning about the Earth. The Editor takes the lead on maintaining a high-quality peer reviewed publication that responds to the needs and interests of NAGT, the geoscience education research communities, and the dynamic landscape of scientific publishing and communications. We seek an editor who will work with us to increase the impact, stature, influence, reach, and visibility of the journal.

The Editor serves as the primary contact to Taylor & Francis, which publishes the journal. The Editor should be aware of the production, printing, and distribution processes common to print and electronic journals, and be able to advise the Executive Committee on developments and opportunities that could be especially beneficial to JGE and the Association.

Duties of the Editor-in-Chief include:

• Overseeing the development of each issue of JGE, including
• Working with the production editor at Taylor & Francis to meet deadlines for each issue
• Making guiding decisions about content and selecting themes for issues
• Managing the peer-review and decision process for all manuscripts submitted to JGE
• Writing or soliciting an editorial for each issue
• Developing the table of contents for each issue, keeping the annual total number of pages in mind
• Designing or selecting an image for the cover of each issue and working with the author(s) to secure permission
• Leading the editorial team
• Recruiting and appointing editors and associate editors
• Maintaining a high level of interaction and knowledge within the group of editors
• Managing the flow of manuscripts to editors and back to authors in a timely fashion
• Serving as the point person for technical questions from authors and reviewers
• Maintaining standards of review
• Leading the process to select JGE's annual Outstanding Paper and Reviewer Awards
• Serving as an ex officio member of the Executive Committee to maximize the success of the journal and its support for the NAGT mission
• Attend face-to-face and virtual meetings of the Executive Committee and Council
• Serve as a liaison of the Ex Comm to NAGT's Geoscience Education Research Division
• Working with the Executive Office and Treasurer to recommend the annual budget, ensure appropriate publication tools and contracts, and other business affairs
• Promoting the journal through appropriate venues and activities, including (but not limited to):
• Selecting occasional articles that can be offered through temporary free access to recruit readership and NAGT membership in specific audiences;
• Recruiting submissions from audiences through presenting the journal at meetings such as AERA, ESERA, AGU, etc.
• Promoting readership and citation of articles in JGE
• Leading workshops and presentations to help future authors submit high-quality manuscripts

We anticipate that the successful candidate will be an active member of the geoscience education community with broad and diverse connections. He or she should have broad interests in geoscience education, excellent time management and organizational skills, the ability to communicate with a wide variety of people, and experience that will allow him or her to make decisions that will uphold the quality of the journal and the effectiveness of the publication process. The editor is responsible for upholding ethical standards for editors, and abiding by the ethics policy of NAGT. The editor should have enthusiasm for JGE and its role in the geoscience community, the ability to engage with that community, and commitment to devote the time and effort to make the journal successful.

The application process:

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the search chair in advance of the application deadline with any questions.

Applications received by May 1 will be evaluated by the search committee. Requests for additional information, including a proposal for how the duties of the Editor-in-Chief will be incorporated into the existing workload with support from the home institution, will be made to qualified applicants by May 15.

Interviews for finalists will be conducted at the Earth Educators' Rendezvous, July 13-17, 2020, in Palo Alto, California. The Association will negotiate a final plan regarding administrative support, travel support, telephone and Internet access, and other basic infrastructure in collaboration with the successful candidate for the ultimate establishment of the Editorship.

An appointment will be made shortly thereafter, and apprenticeship with the current Editor-in-Chief will begin immediately.

The new Editor-in-Chief will assume responsibility for the journal December 1, 2020.

If you have any questions, contact the search committee chair, Margaret Crowder, margaret.crowder@wku.edu.