JMT Expands & Redefines Editorial Team & Roles: Applicants Invited
June 6, 2018 12:01 PM
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), in response to the impressive growth and expansion of the Journal of Music Therapy, is pleased to announce a change in the journal’s editorial structure and duties. The journal seeks applicants for open positions to join an expanded editorial team. Two job announcements follow below for the positions of Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor.
Journal of Music Therapy Expands and Redefines Editorial Team and Roles: Applicants Invited for Open Positions
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), in response to the impressive growth and expansion of the Journal of Music Therapy (JMT), is pleased to announce a change in the journal’s editorial structure and duties. The journal seeks applicants for open positions to join an expanded editorial team.
The JMT is a pillar in the scholarly foundation of the music therapy profession. Its growth and development have contributed to the advancement of the profession over five decades beginning in 1964. Since AMTA’s journal publication partnership with Oxford University Press, peer-reviewed publication activity is steadily increasing and the journal enjoys worldwide visibility and a highly active online presence. Under the updated, expanded structure, AMTA seeks interested applicants for the open positions of a) Editor-in-Chief (EIC) effective upon completion of the current EIC’s term of service ending December 31, 2018 and b) Associate Editor (AE) (two positions sought).
Following careful review and analysis of the roles, levels of effort, and editorial workload for activity related to the peer review and publication production for manuscript submissions to the journal, an updated model was recommended. The aim of the plan is to accommodate changing needs and foster a shared commitment to further nurture the growth and development of JMT. The AMTA Board of Directors, in cooperation with the EIC (Dr. Robb), Associate Editors (Drs. Baker and Shoemark), and Editorial Board of the Journal of Music Therapy, embraced change and expansion for the structure and associated roles of the journal’s editorial team.
Under the expanded structure:
- The Editor-in-Chief continues to direct the vision and mission of JMT, oversee the Editorial Board, serve as the editorial team leader, and assign manuscripts to Associate Editors (AEs) but does not manage individual manuscript submissions as part of the regular duties.
- A Managing Editor (ME) role is added to the team to complete administrative and coordination roles previously conducted by the EIC. The current Business Manager for the journals (Barb Else) will develop this role under the direction of the EIC and AMTA Executive Director.
- Associate Editors for peer review will assume individual responsibility for manuscripts undergoing peer review with authority, responsibility, and accountability for their assigned manuscripts. The number of AEs increases from two to four with the flexibility to expand further.
- The Associate Editor for Communications and Associate Editor for Book Reviews remain unchanged
Individuals interested in either of these positions, Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor, as revised under the new model and structure, are asked to review the information, job descriptions, contact, and instructions for application below.
The Journal of Music Therapy (https://academic.oup.com/jmt) is a forum for authoritative articles of current music therapy research and theory, including book reviews and guest editorials. Its mission seeks to advance research, theory, and practice in music therapy through the dissemination of scholarly work. The journal promotes scholarly activity in music therapy and fosters the development and understanding of music therapy and music-based interventions. To this end, the journal publishes all types of research, including quantitative, qualitative, historical, philosophical, theoretical, and musical, and may include discipline, profession, and foundational research topics. The journal strives to present a variety of research approaches and topics, to promote critical inquiry, and to serve as a resource and forum for researchers, educators, and clinicians in music therapy and related professions.
Job Description
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Music Therapy
The Journal of Music Therapy expands and redefines editorial team and roles: The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) invites applicants for the position of Editor-in-Chief.
The Journal of Music Therapy (JMT) is a forum for authoritative articles of current music therapy research and theory, including book reviews and guest editorials. Its mission is as follows:
The Journal of Music Therapy seeks to advance research, theory, and practice in music therapy through the dissemination of scholarly work. Its mission is to promote scholarly activity in music therapy and to foster the development and understanding of music therapy and music-based interventions. To this end, the journal publishes all types of research, including quantitative, qualitative, historical, philosophical, theoretical, and musical, and may include discipline, profession, and foundational research topics. The journal strives to present a variety of research approaches and topics, to promote critical inquiry, and to serve as a resource and forum for researchers, educators, and clinicians in music therapy and related professions.
The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) for JMT has overall responsibility for the journal’s content and its publication. The EIC leads and formulates a strategic vision for the journal and is responsible for overseeing the direction of the journal and ensuring ethical publication practices.
The EIC serves as the principal architect of the content of JMT. The EIC is an active professional and highly-experienced music therapist, scholar, and scientist. (See qualifications below) Working with the journal’s team of Associate Editors (AEs) and the Editorial Board, the EIC is the arbiter of the content of the journal. Above all, the EIC serves as ambassador of JMT, AMTA, and the profession. As such he or she must possess excellent communication and networking skills. The EIC is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the journal and its mission.
Term of Service
The term of service consists of one four (4) year term with the possibility of a second four (4) year term contingent upon successful performance review and reappointment. See the AMTA Bylaws, Article XIII, Section 1.
Duties and Responsibilities
Advancing the Missions of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and Journal of Music Therapy. The mission statement for the journal guides the work, actions, and decisions of the EIC who serves as a representative for the AMTA, the Journal of Music Therapy, and music therapy profession. The EIC works to support and advance the mission of the AMTA and journal by sustaining and advancing the quality of the journal through development and refinement of journal policies/procedures, ensuring that the journal keeps pace with developments occurring in the broader research and clinical communities, and in accordance with principles of ethical publication practices.
Oversee Journal Policies and Procedures. The EIC oversees implementation and adherence to policies (both formal and informal) and procedures of the journal; assists in developing and revising policies, with input from the Editorial Board, AEs, and within guidelines predetermined by the AMTA Board of Directors; and, recommends updates accordingly. The EIC oversees periodic updates of instructions to authors.
Maintaining an Editorial Board and Overseeing Associate Editor Team. In consultation with Editorial Board members, the EIC selects, appoints with approval of the AMTA Board of Directors (as vacancies become available), trains, and provides direction to incoming Editorial Board members. In addition, the EIC works to maintain an Editorial Board that represents the diversity of clinical approaches and research methods in the music therapy profession and whose members conduct peer review in a timely fashion. The EIC oversees Editorial Board member performance and coaches as necessary, and plans, organizes, and leads annual Editorial Board meetings at AMTA national conferences. The EIC supervises the Managing Editor (ME) and oversees the AEs responsible for manuscript review process, and dissemination of content.
Publishing. The EIC oversees publication of four issues per year within the budget specified by the Board of Directors and in cooperation with the Business Manager/ME and publishing partner at Oxford University Press.
Manuscripts. The EIC provides oversight for the review process as follows:
- develops reviewer guidelines, rating criteria, and oversees guidance for high quality reviews;
- evaluates and consults with the Associate Editors (AEs) regarding suitability of articles for inclusion in review process (approximately 70 per year);
- collaborates with the Music Therapy Perspectives EIC to ensure appropriateness of the submission for the journal to which it was submitted, and to identify ways to advance the missions of AMTA and its respective journals through special issues, communications and media features, or other activities;
- assigns articles for review to AEs
- monitors the pipeline of articles under consideration and determines the table of contents for four issues per volume annually;
- supports reviews that are impartial, fair, and adhere with principles endorsed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE); and,
- works to maintain confidentiality of the double-blind review process.
Publishing Special Focus Issues and Feature Articles. Occasionally, the EIC develops special focus issues devoting an entire issue (or substantial part of an issue) to a single topic. Topics are often determined with input from the Editorial Board, along with names of potential contributors and/or guest editors. The EIC may solicit authors to submit their work to JMT for special focus issues or invited feature articles.
Indexing. The editor monitors index listings for the journal.
Reporting to Board of Directors. The EIC provides mid-year and annual reports to the AMTA Board of Directors and JMT Editorial Board, and other reports as requested.
Transition. At the end of his/her term, the EIC provides for an orderly transition of editorship responsibility to the newly appointed EIC.
Applicant Qualifications
The following represent the desired qualifications and attributes for applicants interested in applying for the position of JMT Editor-in-Chief
Education. Doctoral degree in music therapy or a related field.
Publishing Experience. Record of sustained publication in peer-reviewed journals and service as an Editorial Board member and/or reviewer for a peer-reviewed journal.
Research Background. Five (5) or more years post-master’s research experience, with expertise and/or understanding of multiple methods of inquiry.
Clinical Background. Five (5) or more years clinical experience as a music therapist and evidence of advanced training or competency in music therapy or related disciplines.
Board Certification. Board Certification through the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) or equivalent music therapy credential.
Electronic Publishing/Submission Experience. Familiarity with book or journal publishing or handling electronic resources or publications is preferred.
Leadership Experience. Demonstrated ability to communicate, lead, and advance a vision aligned with the mission of JMT. Ability to lead and interact with members of the Editorial Board, the editorial team (AEs, ME, Publishing Editor at Oxford University Press) and communicate with the AMTA Board of Directors on an ongoing basis.
Professional Membership. Current professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association is provided gratis as a benefit of service to the journal and its mission.
Electronic letters of interest and a CV should be submitted to:
Dianne Wawrzusin, Administrative Services Coordinator, AMTA
Subject line: EIC JMT Search Committee
Dianne@musictherapy.org
Submissions are invited immediately and should be received no later than 5:00 PM ET on July 31.
Interested persons should feel free to directly contact Dr. Robb (shrobb@iu.edu) or the co-chairs of the EIC search committee (Drs. Mary Adamek - mary-adamek@uiowa.edu and Michele Forinash - forinasm@lesley.edu) with any questions.
Job Description
Associate Editor, Journal of Music Therapy
The Journal of Music Therapy expands and redefines editorial team and roles: The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) invites applicants for two open positions as Associate Editor for research manuscript reviews.
The Journal of Music Therapy (JMT) is a forum for authoritative articles of current music therapy research and theory, including book reviews and guest editorials. Its mission is as follows:
The Journal of Music Therapy seeks to advance research, theory, and practice in music therapy through the dissemination of scholarly work. Its mission is to promote scholarly activity in music therapy and to foster the development and understanding of music therapy and music-based interventions. To this end, the journal publishes all types of research, including quantitative, qualitative, historical, philosophical, theoretical, and musical, and may include discipline, profession, and foundational research topics. The journal strives to present a variety of research approaches and topics, to promote critical inquiry, and to serve as a resource and forum for researchers, educators, and clinicians in music therapy and related professions.
The Associate Editor (AE) for research manuscript reviews is responsible for managing the peer review process for research manuscripts submitted to the JMT and assigned to the AE. Applicants for two open positions are sought to join the current Associate Editors, Drs. Felicity Baker and Helen Shoemark.
The Associate Editor (with a focus on manuscript review) is a volunteer position responsible for assisting with and managing the peer review process for research manuscript submitted to the JMT. The Associate Editor selects and assigns reviewers, manages the review process, determines review outcomes, and supports authors. A central requirement is the ability to edit and work with authors on manuscripts, understand the research perspective, methodological integrity, and overall writing quality of each submission. Associate Editors will meet periodically with the EIC and other AEs (conference call) and attend the annual Editorial Board meeting held during the AMTA national conference.
Term of Service
The term of Service will coincide with that of the incoming Editor-in-Chief (EIC). Associate Editor positions are planned to begin orientation in 4th quarter 2018 with a gradual assumption duties.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reviewing Manuscripts: The Associate Editor -
- receives articles for review;
- sends articles for review to selected members of the Editorial Board or to outside reviewers, as deemed appropriate to topic of article;
- collects reviewer comments and makes editorial decisions about submitted manuscripts in a timely fashion;
- assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for assigned manuscripts and accepts, rejects, or requests revisions of articles;
- in cooperation with the Managing Editor, checks all manuscripts for completeness of content, proper format, permission to use copyrighted material, and any other requirements for publication;
- ensures reviews are impartial, fair, and adhere to principles endorsed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE); and
- preserves the confidentiality of the review process.
Corresponding with Authors: The Associate Editor -
- maintains all professional communications with assigned authors and reviewers within ScholarOne,
- serves as the point of contact for assigned authors,
- answers author inquiries about status of the submission,
Production: The Associate Editor -
- checks the final manuscript making sure all information is included before moving the document to production for proof editing and type setting.
Teamwork: The AE participates as a member of the editorial team consisting of the EIC, AEs, Managing Editor, and publisher (Oxford University Press contacts).
Applicant Qualifications
- An active publication record
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Experience in an editorial role (e.g., journal editor, book editor, thesis/doctoral supervision)
- Experience with peer review processes (e.g., a reviewer)
- Prior service on the JMT Editorial Board (preferred, but not required)
- Demonstrated ability to work on a team
- Desire and ability to dedicate allocated time each week to Associate Editor responsibilities
- Ability to participate in ad hoc editorial team working conference calls
- Desire to serve as an ambassador for AMTA and the music therapy profession
Professional Membership. Current professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association is provided gratis as a benefit of service to the journal and the mission of AMTA.
Electronic letters of interest and a CV should be submitted to:
Dianne Wawrzusin, Administrative Services Coordinator, AMTA
Subject line: Associate Editor JMT Search Committee
Dianne@musictherapy.org
Letters of interest are invited immediately and should be received no later than 5:00 PM ET on July 31, 2018.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Sheri Robb, EIC (shrobb@iu.edu) for more detailed information regarding these positions.
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