University Economic Development Association

Editor, The Journal of Economic Development in Higher Education [tentative title]

Closing Date: March 20, 2015

The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) seeks a volunteer editor for its new publication, tentatively entitled the Journal of Economic Development in Higher Education. Set to launch in September 2015, the Journal will advance the study of university-led economic development, which examines the ways in which institutions of higher education foster the global competitiveness of their regions through human capital formation; research and innovation; and the creation of knowledge-centric, mixed-use communities and innovation districts.

UEDA is the nation’s only membership organization focused on university-led economic development, with members drawn from higher education, the private sector, and community economic development stakeholders. Currently, the organization has roughly 200 members, and over 80 percent of members are public colleges and universities. Through news and information, public policy, educational programming and best practice sharing, UEDA works to expand economic opportunity in our communities by leveraging research, community and campus planning, talent development, and technology commercialization.

About the Journal

The Journal will be an online, peer-reviewed journal published twice a year (September and March) using the IUScholarworks software developed by the Indiana University. UEDA expects that each volume will contain 10-20 articles.

The Journal will accept opinion pieces; articles on new frameworks, theories, or concepts; data-driven research articles; program evaluations, and/or qualitative or quantitative case studies that highlight or analyze the role played by institutions of higher education[1] in:

  • Promoting economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, especially through interdisciplinary initiatives and public-private partnerships;
  • Improving the impact, reach, and applicability of the institution’s research—and improving the impact and reach of other strategic niches of expertise—to enhance institutional and regional competitiveness;
  • Applying basic and applied research to solve an industry’s—or the region’s—most pressing challenges;
  • Leveraging institutional research and other resources to accelerate business formation and growth, develop new products and services, and/or link local businesses to the global economy through foreign investment or trade;
  • Engaging and linking elements of their region’s innovation ecosystem;
  • Developing and implementing solutions to their region’s human capital and workforce needs;
  • Facilitating access by various constituents to information or institutional resources; and
  • Creating knowledge-centric, mixed-use communities and innovation districts that serve as economic development nodes.

The journal also seeks submissions addressing the theoretical underpinnings on exactly why and how university-led economic development benefits society.

Position Duties

  • On an ad hoc basis (no more than monthly), attend teleconferences with UEDA’s Journal Subcommittee (which may be replaced by an editorial board following launch) and/or the UEDA Board;
  • Work closely with the committee to maintain an active, qualified cohort of peer reviewers;
  • Work closely with the UEDA Journal Subcommittee, editorial board, and/or UEDA board to set editorial policy, submission guidelines, etc.;
  • Work closely with the UEDA Journal Subcommittee, editorial board, and/or UEDA board to publicize biannual calls for submissions;
  • If desired, recruit and manage section or assistant (unpaid) editors;
  • Use the IUScholarworks software to receive and perform a preliminary review of manuscripts and determine if manuscripts are acceptable for peer review or publication, depending on submission category;
  • Use the IUScholarworks software to assign manuscripts to qualified peer reviewers;
  • Manage the peer review process and revision process;
  • Manage the copyediting and production of the finished online product through IUScholarworks;
  • Grant permissions for article use; and
  • Assist the UEDA staff and UEDA board in developing relationships with potential sponsors and/or funders as UEDA seeks to increase the scope, reach, and professionalism of its journal and ensure the journal’s continued financial sustainability.

UEDA expects the individual selected to devote at least 3-4 hours per week to the journal. Although the editor will not receive monetary compensation, UEDA expects to provide the editor with complimentary travel and registration to UEDA’s Annual Summit.

UEDA expects that the editor will serve for an initial one-year term. Following the completion of the term, UEDA may enter into negotiations with the editor to extend his or her term.

Candidate Qualifications

Required credentials and experience:

  • Ph.D. in a relevant subject matter
  • Demonstrated scholarship in the field of economic development
  • Prior experience as a peer reviewer, section editor, or editor of a peer-reviewed journal
  • Strong composition, writing, and editing skills
  • Strong project management skills
  • Familiarity with, or ability to learn how to use, journal management software
  • Ability to provide professional development feedback to emerging authors and scholars

Preferred credentials and experience:

  • Active member of UEDA
  • Demonstrated scholarship in the field of university-led economic development

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae or resume and cover letter to maureen@lyonparkassociates.com no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, March 20, 2015. The applicant must include a list of relevant publications in the field of university-led economic development and specify any experience serving as a peer reviewer, section editor, or editor of a journal. The applicant must address the extent to which he or she complies with all required credentials and experience (see above) and must attach at least two references (name, title, phone, e-mail) that can attest to the applicant’s work as a peer reviewer, section editor, or editor.

Applicants with any questions regarding the position, duties, or selection process may contact Maureen Klovers, Chair of the UEDA Journal Subcommittee at (703) 969-3643 or maureen@lyonparkassociates.com.

[1] For the purposes of this journal, institutions of higher education include community colleges, 4-year colleges, universities, consortiums of these types of entities, or affiliated institutions with an economic development mission, to include university-hosted Small Business Development Center, business incubators, business accelerators, research and technology parks, etc.