U.S. Studies Online

U.S. Studies Online is designed to showcase and promote the exciting research produced by postgraduate and early career researchers in the American Studies academic community. Drawing upon the interdisciplinarity of American Studies, this platform covers a broad range of topics, incorporating history, literature, politics, cultural studies, film, art history, gender studies and interdisciplinary methods. The blog publishes posts from scholars of all levels and regularly receives more than one thousand views per week. The editorial team and guest contributors source and produce varied content that includes research posts; informal interviews; book reviews; event reviews; careers and professional development advice; collaborative special featured blog series; podcasts; and our hugely popular monthly lecture series #BookHour. U.S. Studies Online is also home to the USSO annual keynote competition, which provides an opportunity to further support the personal and professional development of postgraduates and early career researchers. Read our mission statement here.

Duties of Position

Co-Editor responsibilities and necessary skills will include:

• Assessing incoming posts for intellectual rigor, methodological approach and stylistic merit.
• Providing respectful and considered feedback to all those who submit work to USSO and working with them to publish their work, as appropriate.
• Proactively identifying and approaching academics and publishers for new contributions for the blog.
• Developing and sustaining a good relationship with contributing authors.
• Working with Guest Editors to typeset and publish our USSO Special Series.
• Proactively seeking out and engaging new communities and networks that would be interested in the research published in S. Studies Online, through email, conferences and social media.
• Proactively drive and develop innovative new features and segments for the website. (examples include USSOcast and our weekly digital community #WriteAmStudies)
• Organising and attending monthly Zoom meetings with the editorial team with oral or written agendas, as well as regular meetings with the BAAS Executive Committee.
• Competency in the use of online systems such as WordPress, to upload, format and publish articles.
• Developing plans for USSO’s expansion through grant applications and other academic funding sources

This voluntary position is intended to be held for a minimum of 1 year.

Skills required

If you would like to apply to become a member of the editorial team, please check suitability with the following criteria and complete the application form.

General Skills Required

• Interest in the research of interdisciplinary American Studies, and knowledge of S. Studies Online and the American Studies community in the UK.
• Strong communication skills in order to liaise with the S. Studies Online editorial board and readership.
• Strong analytical skills in order to synthesise a wide range of information and locate key contributions to knowledge.
• Good organisational and time management skills to ensure posts are promoted in a timely fashion, deadlines are met and emails are responded to promptly.
• Computer literacy and knowledge of WordPress, dropbox and Skype.
• Proofreading skills.

Application

Please find further information regarding the application process in the attached document.

Dates and further information

The deadline for applications is Monday 7^th February 2023 (11.59pm GMT). Interviews will be conducted the following week.

Please send your completed application form and Academic CV to Robyn Shooter at usso@baas.ac.uk with the subject line “USSO Co-Editor Application”.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Robyn Shooter (Co-Editor)

Molly Becker, Tom Cryer, Aija Oksman, and Sam Thozer (Assistant Editors)