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Criteria and Procedures for
Selecting Editors for RSS Publications

The following criteria and procedures refer to the selection of editors for Rural Sociology and the Rural Studies Series.

Eligibility
Candidates must be members of the Rural Sociological Society and hold a tenured position or equivalent in an academic or non-academic setting. Applications from members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Selection Criteria
In accordance with RSS's mission to publish high quality scholarship, the following criteria are considered in selecting editors:

  1. Established record of scholarship.
  2. Evidence of understanding the mission of the journal or series and its operation, indicated by experience with the journal or series across any of a wide variety of activities (submission, reviewing, editorial board experience, and for Rural Sociology editors, publication in the journal).
  3. Assessment of the present state of the journal or series, its strengths and challenges, and a strategy for the journal's or the series' future.
  4. Openness to different methods, theories, and approaches to rural sociology.
  5. Record of responsible service to scholarly publishing and evidence of organizational skill and intellectual leadership.
  6. For Rural Sociology, a satisfactory budget proposal demonstrating efficient use of available RSS resources as well as institutional support as appropriate, along with commitment to cost-effective operation of the editor's office and responsibilities.

The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1st.

Selection Process
Applications are received by the chair of the Publications Committee and are reviewed by the whole committee. Prospective editors may be contacted to clarify any issues raised in the deliberations. A ranked list of up to three applicants is then sent forward to the RSS Council. The Council appoints the editor. The candidates are contacted by the Chair of the Committee to announce the results of the Council decision. The RSS President signs a litter of appointment as drafted by the Chair. This letter should contain the conditions of the appointment (term, budget support, and other items necessary to provide adequate support and clarify expectations).

Preparing the Application Packet
Given that the Committee on Publications receives a number of qualified applications, appointment to the editorship of an RSS publication is highly selective. The guidelines below offer suggestions that are designed to streamline the application process for applicants and the Committee. The application packet should include:

  1. Vision Statement: This should contain the applicant's goals and plans for the content of the journal. It may include an assessment of the current strengths, weaknesses, or gaps that the applicant plans to address and how this plan will be operationalized.
  2. Editor's Background Information: The name, affiliation, and other important information about the potential editor are required. Evidence of the ability and experience of the editor to provide sound judgment and guidance to potential authors is central to the application. Applicants should provide a clear description of and justification for the structure of the editorial office and responsibilities, as they envision them at this point. Names of individuals that the applicant would like to include on the larger editorial board should not be included. Contacting potential editorial board members can be a time-consuming task that should be done only after an editor has been selected.
  3. Institutional Support: It is important for applicants to consider and address the feasibility of serving as editor in light of the resources RSS can provide and those likely to be available to the candidate. The RSS does not pay for office space or release time, but provides basic financial support for office resources as necessary to journal editors. This support may include funds for editorial assistance, office supplies, postage, and telephone beyond what will be provided by the editor's home institution. Since the support offered by different institutions varies widely, applicants are encouraged to contact the RSS Treasurer as necessary in order to ensure the feasibility of their application. Letters of support from deans or other appropriate institutional officials should be included. Specific arrangements with a potential new editor and with that individual and his or her institution will occur during the period after the RSS Council makes a selection and the RSS Treasurer and Committee Chair work out the final agreement with this candidate.
  4. Budget: A proposal showing the use of RSS resources and institutional support.
  5. Vita: No standard form is required.
  6. Referees: Provide names and contact information for two referees who the committee may contact.

Timetable for Appointments

  1. Appointments will be decided by the RSS Council at the Annual meeting in the year prior to the start of the appointment.
  2. At the meeting of the Publications Committee in the year prior to this Council decision, the committee shall make a list of any candidates it wishes to invite.
  3. A call for applications or nominations shall be placed on the RSS website and in TRS at least six months prior to the application deadline.
  4. Applications must be received by the Chair of the Publications Committee no later than February 1st of the year when an appointment will be made.
  5. The Publications Committee shall submit its recommendation to the RSS President two weeks prior to the Council meeting at which the decision will be made.