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JAPA Book Review Editor Call for Applications

The Journal of the American Planning Association seeks a new Book Review Editor. Successful applicants will combine scholarly expertise with a broad interest in planning practice.

The Review Editor has substantial autonomy but will work with the JAPA Editor and Editorial Board to ensure the highest quality and most relevant content is published in JAPA, for the benefit of scholars and planners in all practice settings. The role will also engage with the APA Editor in Chief in areas such as communications, and will be supported by a professional Managing Editor employed by APA.

The role includes the following scope of work:

  • Identifying, soliciting, and receiving key books (and potentially other kinds of works) for potential review in the Journal from across the planning field.
  • Assigning the appropriate reviewer(s), establishing reviewer willingness to prepare a fair review of the work on an appropriate timeline for publication in the Journal.
  • Obtaining and evaluating reviews prepared, communicating with reviewers as needed, and generally keeping an appropriate flow of quality reviews.
  • Conducting initial substantive copyediting and uploading documents into the editorial management system for use by the Managing Editor according to established production deadlines.
  • Maintaining administrative files for the book review section, including files of communications with reviewers and others.
  • Keeping the Editor, Managing Editor, and APA Editor in Chief apprised of ongoing work.
  • Participating in two Editorial Board meetings annually (currently meetings are virtual) and providing reports about the status of the section.
  • Working with APA staff to publicize reviews through social media.
  • The successful candidate will assume the position of Book Review Editor in June 2026. The term of the editorship is four years and six months (June 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030). (In 2026 only, this typically four-year term includes an additional six months to realign future Book Review Editor start dates to January.)

Application

The application must include:

  • A 500-1,000 word statement.
  • CV.
  • Names, phone numbers, and emails for two references.

The statement should address the following topics.

  • What you will bring to the role.
  • A vision for the scope of the section topically, and in terms of media reviewed and review formats.
  • Where JAPA's review section fits in the landscape of other reviews e.g. other journals, blogs, etc.

Send applications to JAPA Managing Editor Michelle Trevino at japame@planning.org by January 5, 2026. Virtual interviews will be conducted starting in mid-January 2026 and concluding by mid-February. It is expected that the Book Review Editor will be introduced to the JAPA Editorial Board at Spring 2026 JAPA Editorial Board meeting.

Questions can be addressed to the JAPA Editor, Yan Song at ys@email.unc.edu and the outgoing Book Review Editor Adam Millard-Ball at adammb@ucla.edu.

JAPA Editor Yan Song will establish a committee to select the new Book Review Editor.