Sport in Society
Associate Editor required
Deadline 22 July 2026
About the role
Sport in Society is seeking Associate Editors.
We welcome applications from academics with a strong track record in related Sport Studies disciplines.
This is an excellent opportunity for hands-on subject matter experts who want to shape the literature of their discipline. In this active, operational role, you will oversee the peer-review pipeline for your specialty, ensure high scholarly standards, and collaborate with the leadership team to drive the journal's growth.
In this role, you will:
- manage the peer-review process for manuscripts within your field of expertise, utilizing the journal’s submission system
- identify, recruit, and secure qualified peer reviewers to ensure timely, robust, and constructive evaluations
- assess reviewer feedback and deliver clear editorial recommendations (Accept, Revise, Reject) to the Editors
- uphold research integrity and publishing ethics, ensuring all handled manuscripts adhere to COPE guidelines
- proactively commission high-impact content, including inviting submissions, proposing Special Issues, or developing article collections
- actively promote the journal within your professional networks and represent the title at key events and conferences
- collaborate with the wider Editorial team and participate in Editorial Board meetings to discuss journal performance, pipeline metrics, and long-term strategy
Stepping into a supporting editor role is a rewarding journey that enables you to influence the future of your field. You will gain deep insights into the publishing process, expand your global professional network, and be recognized as a leading figure in the community.
The role offers:
- annual honorarium
- free access to 100 articles on tandfonline.com
- 30% discount on books at routledge.com
- access to Taylor & Francis editorial resources and training
- formal recognition on the journal’s Editorial Board page
The appointment will start as soon as the recruitment process is complete.
About the journal
The vibrant growth in global academia’s focus upon examining sport’s significance for modern society reflects sports impact on the intersecting domains of culture, identity, politics, governance, business, industry, communication, technology and so on. Sport in Society is an international forum for academics and professionals to engage in these critical debates. The journal publishes original and outstanding peer-reviewed articles and commentaries that advance the understanding of key issues in professional and recreational sport, physical education and exercise, lifestyle and ‘alternative’ sport, and coaching in a social context.
The journal intends to establish a working alliance among scholars in all disciplines of humanities and the social sciences as a way of promoting multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research. It also places high value on research by professionals that complement academic studies of the dynamic relationship between sport and society. In its commitment to promote studies of formerly or currently marginalised human groups and geographical regions, the journal encourages submissions that address issues related to the Third World, postcolonial societies, gender, sexuality, development, peace, and social justice, broadly defined. The Editorial Board welcomes submissions that demonstratively convey impact on end users.
To keep the journal accessible to a wide audience, we do not take into consideration highly specialised quantitative research that use statistical analysis formulas such as regression, uncertainty coefficient, t-test, z-test, chi square, analysis of variance, covariance structure, and so on. In addition to conventional scholarly articles of around 10,000 words including references, general issues carry commentaries of 5,000 or fewer words. Commentaries are perspective pieces on systemic and structural issues in contemporary sport, written in the form of interviews, research notes, or policy recommendations.
Key Skills and Attributes
We seek candidates who demonstrate:
Editorial Excellence:
- proven experience in academic publishing across the full editorial lifecycle
- skill in reading, synthesising, and making sound editorial decisions based on reviewer reports
- willingness to collaborate with the Editorial team and the wider Editorial Board, including attending meetings
- recognised thought leadership and a strong professional reputation within your academic discipline
- expertise for attracting and commissioning high-impact submissions
- a clear vision and enthusiasm for the journal’s ongoing development
Operational Proficiency
- ability to commit time each week to the role and to participate in Editorial Board meetings and training as needed
- a track record of managing submitted manuscripts promptly, consistently, and professionally
- proficiency with online peer-review management systems, with the confidence to guide and support the editorial team in their use
- proactive engagement with Taylor & Francis staff and suppliers to implement processes and drive improvements
- knowledge of, and commitment to, the open access publishing environment
Integrity & Excellence
- experience collaborating effectively with independent peer reviewers
- consistently prompt, professional communication with authors throughout the peer-review process
- uncompromising ethical standards; knowledge of COPE guidelines and a commitment to always uphold them
- active growth of academic networks through conference participation and professional use of social media
Application instructions
Applications should include your CV and a Cover Letter.
Your Cover Letter should be no longer than 500 words and include how you would:
- make positive contributions to support the increasing number of journal submissions
- oversee the peer review process for assigned manuscripts, including selecting appropriate reviewers
- make recommendations for manuscript acceptance or revision
- assist in the development of themed issues and collections
- provide expert advice on emerging trends and topics within the field
- collaborate with the wider Editorial team and support the journal with development strategies
Early application is encouraged. For any questions, please contact Alejandra Black ([email protected]).
Apply for the role by filling in our formJournal pledge
The journal is committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion within its editorial team and decision making processes. All applications will be treated as strictly confidential, and each will be judged on its merits without bias for seniority of institutional affiliation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, national origin, religion, or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.
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