Call for applications: Editor(s)-in-Chief of the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology – Deadline October 15, 2026

Note that the EIC(s) will be involved in the process of working with the SLA and AAA leadership toward the next publishing contract, which is slated to begin January 1, 2028. 

Job Description

The Editor(s)-in-Chief of the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology is/are responsible for:

Manuscript processing and evaluation: Ensuring quality and timeliness

• Initial screening and evaluation of submissions for suitability and quality (some submissions may be rejected without review; others may be returned for revisions before initial review).
• Requesting peer reviews from scholars with relevant expertise, tracking responses and timely return of reviews.
• Assessing submissions on the basis of reviews and the editor’s judgment.
• Making final editorial decisions.
• Preparing decision letters that explain decisions and providing clear directions for revisions.
• Assessing revisions to ensure they have responded to directions in the editorial letter.
• Overseeing book reviews via the book review editor, who solicits and copy-edits book reviews. 

The production process:

• Learning and using the relevant publishing platform and other online interfaces
• Working with publishing staff to provide accepted articles on schedule.
• May work with publishing staff in ensuring articles meet formatting and style requirements.
• Managing typesetting/formatting problems with the author, managing editors, and publisher.
• Corresponding with AAA and/or publishing staff, including consultants, to ensure that articles are submitted with the requisite cover letter and consist of double-blinded original content.
• May entail working with SLA and AAA leadership, and publishers to establish guidelines for appropriate and ethical AI use for both authors and reviewers.

 Advertising/promotion:

• Identifying newsworthy articles to AAA staff and SLA extended board members, and sharing such articles with the Anthropology News section editors, the SLA Social Media Manager, and the Student Journal Assistant, if they choose to appoint one. 
• Soliciting and/or evaluating special issues and other content, such as such as commentaries and media reviews
• Soliciting content that can be disseminated via non-traditional means, such as audiovisual content

Communication:

• Convening an Editorial Board and holding informational/advisory meetings with the board members at least twice a year.
• Communicating with the Advisory Board and Editorial Board about the vision of the journal. All major changes to the journal should be discussed with both boards and the SLA leadership.
• Preparing and disseminating annual reports. 
• Attending SLA extended board meetings, SLA business meetings, AAA journal editorship meetings and delivering presentations at these events.

SLA Extended Board:

The JLA Editor-in-Chief is a member of the SLA Extended Board. As a member of the SLA Extended Board, the EIC(s) will participate in online and in-person Extended Board meetings, submit regular reports, and keep up-to-date records in the SLA google folder.

Funding:

The SLA offers up to $5,000 to support editorial activities; or funding for a course release may be negotiable. If you will require this funding, please include in your application a description of how you would utilize it. 

The EIC(s) is/are eligible for a $250 travel reimbursement to the AAA (or SLA) conference during the terms of your service.

Institutional Support:

Candidates should indicate in their applications any institutional support that might be available from their home institution. 

Thank you for your support of the Society for Linguistic Anthropology and the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology. Please reach out to Jillian Cavanaugh, President, or Erika Hoffman-Dilloway, President-Elect ([email protected]) with any questions.