The role of an editorial board is important to the scholarly publishing ecosystem. They have a variety of roles and responsibilities which help to make your journal successful. As a publisher, it is your responsibility to choose appropriate candidates who understand the scope and goals of your journal.
In this article, we’ll explore what an editorial board is, what they do, and how you can build an effective and motivated editorial board.
What is an editorial board?
An editorial board is made up of a group of experts in a particular field. This is usually the field that your journal is positioned in. They help to steer the direction of your journal and ensure that it’s meeting its potential. Board members have varying degrees of control over your journal’s output. Some have a lot of freedom while others have strict rules and expectations.
An engaged and active board can help to promote your journal and attract potential authors. It can be their reputation alone if they are a highly respected scholar. Editorial boards support the peer-review process and help to provide journal visibility. Many board members will have published manuscripts themselves and have valuable publishing experience.
What does an editorial board do?
An editorial board serves as an advisory board in your journal’s development. They fulfil two main functions: using their expertise to steer your journal’s direction and acting as a quality control check before submission. They can advise which areas your journal should focus on and ensure that the content is reputable.
Furthermore, editorial boards provide insight into the thoughts of other members, conference discussions, and trends in academic publishing. Keep in mind that editorial board members are not your employees. They perform this role voluntarily, and their primary goal is to help your journal reach its potential by monitoring the validity and credibility of the articles.
Editorial boards support you in finding potential peer reviewers by lending you their name and reputation. They help to make your journal more successful by sharing their expertise with you and your team.
How to build an editorial board
There is no one-size-fits-all for the number of editorial board members you should have to support your journal. It all depends on your journal’s needs and the number of submissions you are getting. It also hinges on the level of support your board members are willing to provide. Some scholars may have more time to dedicate to their position on your board, while others have busier schedules.
For this reason, you should build your editorial board around the goals of your journal. You should also ensure that staff understand these are not employees to limit any potential conflicts. Be clear to your team about the responsibilities of your editorial board members. You should know when to leverage your board members to help your journal succeed.
Recruiting board members can be challenging, as it often relies on the reputation of your journal. You should establish this before starting to look for scholars to join your editorial board. Moreover, it is essential to choose the right members as this will directly impact your journal’s success. Once you have decided on the scope of your journal, you can then start looking for candidates.
The most sensible places to look for candidates are academic institutions. Take time to research potential board members and ensure they are active researchers. You may come across scholars who seem suitable but haven’t published any work for a long time. This isn’t good for your journal, as you ideally want scholars who can actively promote articles and engage in academic discussions.
When you intend to reach out to board members, be clear about your expectations. Additionally, ensure they recognise this is a two-way street and it can be an equally beneficial opportunity for them.
Building and motivating a strong editorial board
As you start to build your editorial board, make sure that each request you send out is personalised. Scholars will appreciate it if the journal you are reaching out on behalf of is relevant to their research area. If not, this can come across poorly and drive away potential relationships. It insinuates that you haven’t done your research and are more focused on high numbers than quality.
It is always beneficial to have strong relationships with your editorial board members. You should be communicating with them regularly and only reach out to them on their terms. For example, some scholars may only be available on weekends, so you shouldn’t reach out during the week. Furthermore, keep an eye on their likes and dislikes to gain a feel for the type of content they’re engaging with. Pay attention to what researchers in their field are saying and consider adjusting your journal’s scope accordingly.
You should never ask your board members to compromise their ethics and research principles. Ensure your staff are giving them the respect that they deserve. Flexibility is key when working with editorial boards because they are volunteering their time and expertise for your journal. Be reliable and responsive to their needs to foster a mutually beneficial relationship.
Building an editorial board can take time, but it is crucial to your journal’s long-term success. Recognition for your board members, through mentions online, will help them feel valued along the way. JAMS provides Editorial Guidance to help your journal grow, creating a strong foundation for your editorial board.
