CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Gender & Society Editor

For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by 5 PM PST on June 15, 2026.

Position will remain open until filled. 

Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) is proud to announce its search for the next Editor of Gender & Society, the official journal of SWS. Led by the SWS Publications Committee, we seek an Editor with an excellent track record of productive scholarship, strong commitment to the mentoring mission of the journal, and an inspiring vision and strategy for maintaining and strengthening Gender & Society as a prestigious interdisciplinary journal. As the flagship gender studies journal (2024 impact factor 3.4), Gender & Society has an estimated ½ million annual downloads.

In addition to working with an editorial team of their choosing, the Editor works closely with the Gender & Society Book Review Editor to publish book reviews on cutting-edge scholarship in gender studies and sociology. As an editorial team, they strive to align book reviews with issue content. 

We encourage prospective applicants to have a preliminary discussion about their proposal with the Co-Chairs of the Search Committee, Dr. Marlese Durr, Publications Committee Co-Chair and Dr. Daniela Jauk-Ajamie, Publications Committee Member. To set up a meeting, please email [email protected]. 

This is an excellent and exciting opportunity for an established scholar(s) who is/are motivated to shape the field of gender studies and sociology and has/have a commitment to mentoring gender studies scholars. Overseeing the publication of feminist scholarship through the peer-review and editorial process, the Editor plays a key role in continuing and enhancing the journal’s strong tradition of engaged mentoring, professional development, and promoting gender studies scholarship broadly.

We welcome your proposal if you are inspired to impact the academic discipline of sociology and women/gender studies by leading a dedicated editorial team and overseeing the publication of some of the most widely cited journal articles in the country. 

Editor’s Term and Expectations from SWS

The Editor identifies a team of Deputy Editors (typically four or five) who are actively involved in the reviewing and editing processes.

The Editorship is a four-year term with responsibility for Volume 42 (2028) through Volume 45 (2031). The term begins on May 1, 2027. There is a transitional period until July 31, 2027, during which the outgoing and incoming Editor teams operate offices concurrently. The outgoing editorial team will transfer the contents of the final two issues of 2027 to the new team who will work with the publisher to lead them to publication.

The Editor and the entire editorial team are required to keep their SWS memberships current throughout their contract. The Editor is expected to present SWS members with an update at the annual conference and submit periodic reports to the Publications Committee as requested. Editors and the entire editorial team are required to sign a conflict of interest and confidentiality agreement.

Institutional Support for the Editor and Editorial Team

If applicable, the academic institution of the Editor or Co-Editors serves as the “host” of the journal. Given the prestige of the journal, the host institution typically provides support for the duration of the Editor’s or Co-Editors’ term, such as funding for course releases and employing a student Managing Editor assistant. At minimum, applications must provide evidence (i.e. a letter) from a Department Chair or Dean (or equivalent) that the campus supports the application.

Together, SWS and Sage Publishing provide essential resources to support the editorial process. 

Supported by our contract with Sage, SWS provides a full-time professional Managing Editor and an estimated $80,000 budget to support student managing editors, honoraria for Editor(s) and Deputy Editors, office supplies and copy editing services, and conference travel. The allocation of these funds is determined by the Editor and the budget is approved by the SWS Publications Committee. The budget proposed should be in alignment with the fiscal realities of a non-profit. 

In addition, per request from the Editor, funding totaling no more than $3,000 per year is available to support Editorial Board meetings and to foster community and support amongst the team.

Sage also offers a manuscript pre-screener that supports the initial review process, alleviating the labor intensive process of screening to check for AI generated manuscripts. Sage also supports the editorial office’s use of ScholarOne Manuscript (formerly known as Manuscript Central) an electronic manuscript tracking platform maintained by Sage, through which all aspects of the publication and review process occurs. 

Further, up to $20,000 of additional funding is available to support Editor transition costs.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter that includes their vision for the future of the journal, experience leading scholarly collaborations, and proposed plans to request institutional support. The curriculum vita of the proposed Editor or Co-Editors and a letter of support from the campus (department chair or Dean) are required. 

Please submit your proposal by June 15, 2026 to <<online submissions form>>. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

Any questions can be sent to [email protected].