The Journal of World History, the official journal of the World History Association, published by the University of Hawai‘i Press and sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i History Department, is seeking an editor or a team of co-editors. The position will begin in January 2025, allowing a several month period of transition before the current editor, Matt Romaniello, steps down from the position at the end of 2024. It will have an initial term of five years, renewable for three more.
Founded by Jerry Bentley and now in its 34th year, the Journal of World History publishes research into historical questions across any time period requiring the investigation of evidence on a global, comparative, cross-cultural, or transnational scale. It is devoted to the study of phenomena that transcend the boundaries of single states, regions, or cultures, such as large-scale population movements, long-distance trade, cross-cultural technology transfers, and the global spread of ideas. It is guided by an Editorial Board and an Advisory Board of scholars from around the world.
The responsibilities of the editor or co-editors will be:
Defining editorial policy
Overseeing and managing a rigorous review process
Making final decisions on the acceptance and rejection of articles
Editing articles accepted for publication
Shaping the direction of the Journal
Choosing and working with the Editorial Board
Working with the University of Hawai‘i Press journal production staff
Working with the journals’ two sponsors, the World History Association and the University of Hawai‘i
History Department
Attending the World History Association annual meeting
To apply, please send a cv and a letter of application to Aaron Peterka, Interim Director of the World History Association: info@thewha.org. The deadline for applications is August 1.
In your letter, please address the following:
• Your experience publishing, researching, and teaching in world history, and the way you see these as related
• Your previous editorial and administrative experience
• Your understanding of “world history” and the types of articles that belong in a journal dedicated to it.
• Your vision for the Journal over the next five years
• Your strategy for attracting high quality submissions, reviews of submissions, and book reviews from scholars diverse in terms of methodology, area of research, and institutional and geographic location
• Your plan for engaging with developments in scholarly communication and research practice
A small amount of funding for travel related to the Journal will be provided, but if you may be able to
obtain institutional backing for the position, including course release, please indicate this in your
letter as well.
