CALL FOR EDITORS

Representation Journal of Representative Democracy

McDougall Trust invites expressions of interest from individuals or teams wishing to take over the editorship of Representation from 1 January 2024 following the successful eight years under the lead editorship of Dr Stephen Elstub and Dr Maaja Lühiste (both of Newcastle University) and a team of associate editors.

Aims and scope

Representation is a peer-reviewed journal. All submitted manuscripts are subject to initial appraisal by the Editors, and, if found suitable for further consideration, to peer review by independent, anonymous expert referees. Peer review is double blind and submission is online via ScholarOne.

Representation seeks contributions that explore the interface between democratic practice and theory. Published since the 1960s it has a general interest in all matters relating to representative democracy. For example, theoretical discussion could make a significant contribution to current practices in topics such as the democratic deficit, representation for women and for minority groups, modernising elections, voter education and democratic institutions at transnational, or global, level. Representation offers a place for debates and scholarship, both empirical and normative, on democrat practices around the world, with the following aims:-
• To publish cutting edge articles about the study of elections and voting systems throughout the world.
• To encourage debate on democratic practices.
• To critically explore the interface between democratic practice and theory.
• To produce special issues devoted to questions of democracy and representations.
• To attract and audience of academics and students, journalists, election practitioners and all those interested in the nature of representative democracy.

The Journal has been adopted by the Representation and Electoral Systems, specialist Section of the American Political Science Association.

The Journal is owned by McDougall Trust, which appoints the editors.

Journal Editors
The editors will be engaged directly by the Trust on a consultancy basis. The Trust also engages an editorial assistant on a part-time consultancy basis, with the existing assistant providing continuity between editorial teams. The publishers and editors make an annual report to the Trustees.

Application and Selection
The Trustees invite applications from individuals or teams who wish to take on the responsibility of editing Representation for four years from January 2024, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further four-year term thereafter. For applications from teams, the members need not all be drawn from the same institution. The editor(s) will be responsible for all aspects of the journal’s contents and for working with the publishers.

Within 4 pages of A4 paper, plus a brief CV for each individual, applications should set out the case for the individual or team’s appointment, including its vision for the journal and any proposed division of labour with regard to the major editorial tasks. Team members’ experience and other current and projected commitments and responsibilities should be outlined.

Applications close on 27 November 2023 and interviews will take place in early December 2023 with the decision to be announced after the subsequent Trustee Board meeting in December. The current editors will be available for handover during early 2024.

Those interested in the appointment with any queries should contact the Trust’s Interim Manager, Nick Moore, at support@mcdougall.org.uk