The Journal of Information Literacy seeks 3-5 Associate Editors to co-manage the content, quality, and direction of the journal.
Established in 2007, the Journal of Information Literacy (JIL) aims to push the boundaries of information literacy thinking in theory, practice and method; and to develop deep and critical understandings of the role, contribution and impact of information literacies in everyday contexts, education and the workplace. As the professional journal of the CILIP Information Literacy Group (ILG), JIL is proudly open access and available at https://journals.cilip.org.uk/jil/index.
JIL is run by a dedicated voluntary team including the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Production Editor and Copy Editors, supported by an Editorial Board. The journal is now seeking to appoint 3-5 Associate Editors who will work with the Editor-in-Chief to progress the journal’s goals and vision. These Associate Editors will work with the Editor in Chief to take responsibility for the journal’s content and for the quality of articles and project reports selected for publication in a thematic area aligned with the applicant’s interest and expertise, for example: critical, health, workplace, school information literacy etc. Associate Editors will be fully supported and mentored by the Editor in Chief. There will subsequently be scope for role rotation amongst Editor in Chief and Associate Editors if this is of interest.
These roles (like all other JIL Editorial Board positions) are unpaid, but expenses are covered by the Information Literacy Group. We particularly welcome applications from people with qualitative or quantitative experience in: critical, workplace, academic, school and health information literacy topics, amongst other areas.
KEY DUTIESIn selected thematic areas aligned with interests and expertise, Associate Editors will:
- Synthesise peer reviews and make a decision on outcome (Accept/Revisions Required/Resubmit for Review/Decline) in a thematic area aligned with the applicant’s interest and expertise.
- Communicate in a timely and constructive manner with authors and ensure they receive workable and practical feedback from each review round in order to improve or enhance their work.
- Ensure that peer reviewers are informed of the outcome of each review round and provided with an anonymised version of the feedback to the author.
- Provide constructive, workable feedback to authors of project reports (which do not go out to peer reviewers) in a thematic area aligned with the applicant’s interest and expertise.
- In conjunction with the Editor in Chief, other Associate Editors and the Managing Editor, decide whether articles that do not immediately fit the standard or remit of JIL should be sent for peer review or declined.
- Collaborate on composing the editorial column for each issue.
- Attend two meetings of the Editorial Board per year (usually January and June)
- Actively contribute to strategic and operational planning at Editorial Board meetings twice yearly.
- In conjunction with the Editor in Chief, other Associate Editors and the Managing Editor, attend to operational issues as required (usually by email, supported by members of the operational team) throughout the year.
- Actively assist with promotion of the JIL brand, for example via attending conferences, participating in ILG events, and giving talks and workshops.
The time required to fulfil this role varies week on week depending on the number of papers in the system. We would expect Associate Editors would be working with 2-3 papers over the course of a year.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONThe successful candidate will demonstrate:
- a strong grasp of information literacy theories, practices and methods in one or more thematic areas
- expertise as a researcher or practitioner in the field of information literacy
- experience as a published author or contributor
- vision and enthusiasm for the journal
- the ability to act as a constructive ‘critical friend’ to authors
- an eye for detail and strong communication skills
- The post-holders will preferably be based in the UK as this is where the journal is hosted.
Editor in Chief- mentor for all aspects of editorial process
Managing Editor – liaise regarding acceptance of articles; peer review process; publication timescales; day-to-day operational issues
Editorial Board – report twice yearly on progress; the latest issue; journal strategic direction; and operational planning
CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIESOpportunities to present at conferences, or offer workshops on aspects of the publication process, often arise as part of this role. The post-holders are encouraged to consider how these opportunities could raise the journal’s profile and benefit their own development and career trajectory.
This role also offers the opportunity to:
- work with international experts in information literacy
- guide and support authors
- develop your own writing and research skills through advising others
- stay up to date with progress in IL thinking and practice
- steer the development of an internationally recognised academic journal.
Ideally, the Editorial Board would like the new Associate Editors to work with the Editor-in-Chief from December 2025 to ensure a smooth transition to this new editorial structure. The new Associate Editors will work with the Editor in Chief to select and shape the content of the June 2026 issue.
NEXT STEPSIf you have any questions or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Managing Editor, Jess Haigh, jessica.haigh@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or Editor in Chief, Alison Hicks at a.hicks@ucl.ac.uk. Jess and Alison would be delighted to discuss how your experience could fit and develop this role.
To express your interest, please apply in writing by 3rd November outlining how you would address the role, and send with a brief CV noting previous relevant experience to jil@cilip.org.uk
Applications will be considered by the Editorial Board and all applicants will be contacted by the end of November 2025.
