Editor and editorial board roles at Taylor & Francis 

The success of a Taylor & Francis journal relies on the dedication, expertise, and guidance of our Editors and Editorial Boards, in collaboration with the publisher. The Editorial Team plays a vital role in shaping the content, upholding the quality, and safeguarding the integrity of a journal, ensuring that it remains relevant and impactful within its respective field. On this page, we describe the different editor and editorial board roles, providing an outline of the responsibilities and expectations for those involved. 

Each Taylor & Francis journal has Editorial Team roles specific to that journal, based on the historical development and current needs of the journal. However, they can be broadly divided into three groups: Lead Editors, Supporting Editors and Advisors.

On some journals, editorial roles may overlap or the role might involve additional responsibilities specific to that journal.  

Lead Editors

Example role names: Editor-in-Chief (EIC), Editor, Co-Editor, Senior Editor, Section Editor.

Role overview:

Lead Editors are responsible for the journal’s editorial direction and strategy in collaboration with the publisher and society, as applicable. Lead Editors are accountable for the decision making and academic quality of the journal.  

Key responsibilities: 

  • Directing the editorial vision and scope of the journal or section in collaboration with the publisher and society. 

  • Maintaining high ethical standards and ensuring compliance with Editorial policies. 

  • Acting as an ambassador for the journal at academic conferences and on social media.

  • Driving sustainable and timely high-quality content, through commissioning and  content development, in collaboration with the publisher. 

  • Leading the editorial board in setting priorities for the journal’s content. 

  • With the publisher and/or the society, appointing additional Lead Editors, Supporting Editors and Advisors to the journal. 

The Lead Editor role and its responsibilities may be held by an individual, or it may be shared between two or more individuals. Depending on the size and scope of the journal, the Lead Editor may delegate these responsibilities to Supporting Editors. 

Supporting Editors 

Example role names: Associate Editor, Deputy Editor, Reviews Editor, Assistant Editor, Field Editor, Regional Editor. This list is not exhaustive. 

Role overview: 

Depending on the size and topic breadth of a journal it may have editorial roles that support the Lead Editor(s) in managing the peer review process, making editorial recommendations, and handling specific types of content or topics within the journal. The role may be designated with a different title appropriate to the field. These editorial roles play a key role in helping to shape the journal’s content and ensuring that it adheres to the highest academic standards.  

Key responsibilities: 

  • Overseeing the peer review process for assigned manuscripts, often for specific sections or types of articles, including selecting appropriate reviewers. 

  • Making recommendations for manuscript acceptance or revision. 

  • Assisting in the development of themed issues and collections. 

  • Providing expert advice on emerging trends and topics within the field. 

  • Attending Editorial Board meetings and supporting the Lead Editor(s) on development strategies. 

Advisors

Example role names: Editorial Board, Advisory Board, Editorial Advisory Board, Editorial Committee. This list is not exhaustive. 

Role overview: 

Advisors provide invaluable support by offering their expertise and experience in guiding the journal’s editorial policies and strategies. Board members also help promote the journal within the academic community and contribute to the peer review process. 

Key responsibilities: 

  • Acting as peer reviewers and providing constructive feedback. 

  • Attending Editorial Board meetings and advising the Lead and Supporting Editors on matters such as journal direction, policies, and strategy. 

  • Suggesting potential Guest Advisors or Guest Editors or contributors for article collections or themed issues. 

  • Promoting the journal to potential authors, reviewers, and readers within their professional networks. 

  • Helping to enhance the journal’s reputation and impact in their respective academic fields. 

For information on the role of Guest Editors and Guest Advisors please visit Special issues, supplements and article collections – Author Services. 

Editorial Board Member: Role in more detail 

Primary responsibilities

1. Editorial Board Members are working members of a journal’s Editorial team, completing peer reviews, acting as ambassadors for the Journal, promoting it within their community and at conferences, submitting their own work and encouraging submissions from colleagues.

2. Editorial Board Members also provide support in the setting and executing of journal strategy under the leadership of the journal’s Lead Editor(s).

3. A typical term of membership of an Editorial Board is three years, and it may be extended by mutual agreement.

Advocacy

1. Editorial Board Members act as ambassadors for their Journal and assist in raising the profile of the Journal and published articles through promotion within their professional networks.

2. Editorial Board Members attend meetings for their Journal or Section, actively contributing to strategic discussions, and raising suggestions and queries as needed with the senior Editorial team and the Publisher.

3. Editorial Board Members may also recommend accepted papers for additional promotion, such as press releases and on social media.

Contribution

1. Editorial Board Members are encouraged to submit their own work to the Journal, recommend the Journal to their colleagues, solicit new submissions from within and outside their network, and propose topics and/or acting as Guest Advisors for new Article Collections.

– Frequent submissions from Editorial Board Members are welcomed, and a typical Board Member may submit a research or review article every 1-2 years.

2. Editorial Board Members are asked to act as reviewers for the Journal on new and revised submissions related to their areas of expertise, providing feedback regarding their suitability in terms of scope and anticipated impact, in line with the journal’s editorial threshold.

– Editorial Board Members will be given accounts in the peer-review system to facilitate their invitation to review and are encouraged to review 3-5 submissions each year.
– Board Members are encouraged to add personalised keywords to their accounts, which helps to ensure that requests to review are related to their areas of interest.

3. Editorial Board Members agree to receive regular updates on behalf of the Journal, which may include but is not limited to:

– Journal performance metrics.
– Editorial best practice, tips and support.
– Wider information, such as policy announcements and publishing industry updates.

4. Editorial Board Members are encouraged to amplify public-facing communications by the Publisher to promote the Journal within their scholarly networks.

Publishing ethics

1. Editorial Board Members must not engage in any behaviour that implicitly or explicitly damages the reputation of the Journal or Taylor & Francis, including but not limited to making citing their own work, or that of the Journal, a prerequisite for acceptance.

2. Editorial Board Members should be aware of Taylor & Francis’ policies relating to publishing ethics and editorial practice, and must immediately raise all concerns relating to potential ethical misconduct with the Portfolio Manager.

3. Editorial Board Members are encouraged to complete a short online course provided by the Publisher’s Publication Ethics & Integrity team on “Publishing ethics for journal editors”.

Further reading