Editorial Board

The editorial board typically consists of a group of prominent people in the specific or related field of academics or research. The editors for the journal serve staggered terms, independent of the EIC’s term, so the EIC may recruit editors for any open position immediately. Building an effective editorial board is critical in order to ensure the journal’s health and success. A journal’s editorial board is one of its greatest assets which should be regularly reviewed ensuring that correct people are in place and the field is well represented. Editorial Board is a great way to bring the journal to new audiences, particularly in new topics or countries. In issuing the invitation for the editors, EIC will also need to clearly communicate their expectations and scope of their roles and responsibilities.

Prerequisites to join as an Editorial Board Member

Editorial board member assists the Editor-in-Chief in judging a manuscript to be accepted or rejected. Editors support in taking decisions and communicating with other board members. They ensure the publication of high-quality papers in the journal.  They are responsible for communicating the mission of the journal to authors, readers, and publishers. An Editors must have:

• Doctorate degree in the related field of the applied journal.
• 30-50 publications in National or International peer-reviewed journals.
• Working experience and subject matter expertise in the core and related areas for the applied journal.
• An academic rank above Associate Professor or equivalent.
• The Editor should sign a consent form in order to confirm the acceptance of joining the editorial board of the journal.

Roles and Responsibilities of an Editorial Board Member

• Legitimately the check the received manuscript.
• Willingness to drive journal activities.
• Recommending their colleagues to submit their best work.
• Submit their manuscripts to the journal twice a year, or recommend ideas for commissioned articles.
• Identifying new topics for commissions, special editions, and advising on the direction of the journal.
• Giving feedback on past issues if needed and making suggestions for both potential authors and subject matter experts.
• Provide content by writing editorials and other short articles frequently.
• Approach potential contributors.
• Identifying peer reviewers and provide second opinions on papers (i.e. where there is a conflict between reviewers).
• Advice on journal policy and scope.
• Assist the Editor-In-Chief and journal in decision making over issues such as plagiarism claims and submissions where reviewers can’t agree on a decision.
• Oversee the timely publication of the manuscript with the journal.
• Liaising with the publisher of the journal.
• Solicit articles/manuscripts for the varied issue of the journal.
• Review, edit, and determine the editorial content of the journal.
• Identify and suggest key topics to include in the journal and invite key authors on these topics to submit an article.
• Maintain complete confidentiality and objectivity with regard to manuscripts and the entire review process.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to think and act strategically towards the mission.
• Substantial experience in reviewing manuscripts.

Editors should be actively involved in research and have a record of published research in scholarly journals. In order to expand the scope of the journal, it is necessary to ensure that there is enough expertise on the Editorial Board to handle any new submissions in these areas. Having an editorial board is very important as the quality of a journal is judged by the members and academic credentials of its editorial board. Editors should recuse themselves from the editorial board if they don’t have research interests in common with the aim & scope of the journal.