A great journal starts with a great editorial team. Each member’s individual abilities are as important as the group’s ability to work as a team. As you recruit the members, consider these factors:
professional reputation
expertise (knowledge, skills)
experience with publishing (as an editor, author, editorial board member, etc.)
reliability
willingness to learn
collegiality and willingness to collaborate
Before officially appointing an editorial team member, have a candid conversation about the commitment they are making. Managing a journal requires a great deal of time and effort. It’s a good idea to put the individual’s responsibilities and the expectations for their contribution in writing.
Ideally, the editorial team and the editorial board form a partnership. The team consults the board about journal policies, ethical questions, concerns about particular articles, and plans for future issues. The board members also assist the team in recruiting authors and advertising the journal. Board members should be selected on the basis of their:
professional reputation
expertise in the subject area
networking skills
reliability
collegiality
Consider potential conflicts of interest. For example, an individual should not serve on multiple editorial boards simultaneously.
Before officially appointing a board member, have a candid conversation about the commitment they are making. It’s a good idea to put the individual’s responsibilities and the expectations for their contribution in writing.
