The role of an editor
As an editor, you play a vital role in representing and upholding the journal’s profile and reputation. You are responsible for the quality, integrity, and relevance of the journal’s content, ensuring it reflects developments and emerging work within your field. Your expertise and strategic input are crucial for guiding the journal’s direction and maintaining its relevance. You will work closely with your publishing team, supporting the Publisher and/or society in setting the overall strategy and shaping the ongoing development of the journal, while ensuring it remains responsive to changes in the academic landscape.
Responsibilities of an editor
Editors should discuss their specific responsibilities with their Publisher or society partner, which include:
Managing one or more aspects of handling manuscript submissions; this could be desk assessing manuscripts, and/or overseeing the peer review process, before making informed editorial decisions
Inviting high-quality submissions to the journal and advocating for the journal in your wider network and community
Responding to editorial queries from authors and reviewers
Ensuring that the subject matter of the manuscripts reflects the scope of the journal and any changes of direction in the field of study to incorporate newly emerging work (this may necessitate inviting articles or special issues).
Conducting your activities in accordance with generally accepted industry standards for integrity and objectivity and with the policies of the journal and the publisher. (We further recommend that you consult the COPE short guide to ethical editing.)
Providing input on the selection of Editorial Advisory Board members, to be appointed by the Publisher
Continually engaging the Editorial Advisory Board on the progress of the journal and involving them in discussions on editorial development
Providing strategic input into the journal’s development. The publisher is responsible for determining the journal’s overall strategy in consultation with your subject matter expertise. Your publishing contact will regularly share updates on the journal’s performance, discuss potential strategic directions, and seek your insights and suggestions to inform future development.
Carefully reviewing communications we send you regarding industry & company developments, and information and advice relevant to your role
Highlighting potential commercial opportunities to your Publisher, who is responsible for decisions regarding advertising, supplements, and reprints
Become an editor
Join our editorial community and work alongside peers to advance knowledge, together.
Editorial teams
Most mature journals have more than one editor to ensure the effective management of manuscript submissions and peer review. Common editor roles appointed by the publisher or society include Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, Senior Editor, Section Editor, Executive Editor, and Managing Editor.
Each editor is responsible for one or more aspect of handling assigned manuscripts, such as desk assessment and/or overseeing the peer review process, and making informed editorial decisions. Editors may also be responsible for soliciting submissions to the journal. The division of responsibilities and manuscripts among editors may be based on factors including:
Geographical origin
Specialization
Type of contribution, such as original articles or reviews
Equitable workload management
The specific structure and roles within the editorial team are determined by the publisher and/or society partner in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief. Your Publisher can advise on how responsibilities are divided between editors on your journal.
Only editors are involved in the manuscript handling process. Advisory roles — such as Editorial Advisory Board members — do not participate in handling manuscripts but can provide advice and act as peer reviewers when invited.
Guest editors
Guest editors play a vital role in acquiring content and leading the review process for special issues.
Editorial profile
You can review and update your personal and professional details through your editor profile on Editor Hub. Your editor profile is directly linked to the information displayed on the journal homepage so any updates you make now, or in the future, will automatically be shown on the journal homepage.