Calling for a Book Reviews Editor and an Editorial Assistant for the TDPT Journal

Please find below calls for two opportunities to join the Theatre Dance and Performance Training Journal team. We are looking for a new Books Reviews Editor as well as a new Editorial Assistant(s).

Call for Book Reviews Editor
Journal of Theatre, Dance and Performance Training (TDPT), Routledge

The co-editors of the international journal, Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, Professor Jonathan Pitches (University of Leeds) and Dr Libby Worth (Royal Holloway, University of London) and incoming co-editors Dr Sarah Weston (University of Manchester) and Dr James McLaughlin (University of Greenwich) are seeking to recruit a new Book Reviews editor, to fill the shoes of Professor Chris Hay who is stepping away from the role after 5 years. Now in its 15th year, the journal is quarterly and attracts contributions from scholars and practitioners across the globe. It also has a very active blog site, hosting multi-media content.

We seek a highly creative, motivated, organised and collegiate individual with demonstrable specialism in theatre, dance and/or performer training to lead on commissioning and editing book reviews in the broad area of performance training, seeking to further diversify the content and breadth of specialist books in this area. The post may particularly appeal to an early career researcher, entering into academia and/or publishing.

The new Book Reviews editor will be an Associate Editor of the journal and will work as part of the wider Training Grounds team responsible for the popular formats of Essais, Postcards, Speaking Images and Events Reviews. In addition to the opportunities to strategically shape the development of book reviews in the journal, working on TDPT will offer you unique insights into academic publication and provide you with opportunities to develop your own networks with scholars and practitioners, as well as to contribute to wider discussions about the content and continued development of the journal.

You should be:

  • An active researcher of performer training with a good knowledge base of current published work in the field.
  • Networked nationally and/or internationally in performer training circles.
  • An individual with some experience of editing and/or curating theatre related written work.
  • Interested and embedded in the contemporary debates concerning training and performance and committed to the principles of ethical research.
  • Highly organised, efficient with excellent communication skills.

Book Review Editor’s responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing the field of performer training and keeping up-to-date on its publication patterns and new book releases.
  • Establishing relationships with appropriate practitioners and scholars and encouraging high quality, vibrant content for reviews.
  • Liaising with publishers to elicit appropriate contemporary content for TDPT book reviews.
  • Commissioning reviews from a diverse base of reviewers.
  • Coordinating the distribution of review copies in electronic and physical forms by liaising with publishers and reviewers.
  • Working closely with the other TG editors to ensure a fit with the TDPT ethos and style.
  • Liaising with the journal’s co-editors and Special Issue guest editors to provide regular updates on the status and content of Book Reviews.
  • Acting as an advocate for the journal at conferences and symposia.
  • Attending where possible the Associate Editors’ AGM (either in person or by Teams/Zoom).

In keeping with the rest of the roles in the TDPT team, the post is unpaid but all travel and expenses will be paid. Our current Book Reviews editor Chris Hay has kindly agreed to help manage the transition smoothly and will offer advice and a comprehensive handover.

TDPT is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity for all. We will select candidates on the basis of merit, and ability and are working actively to further diversify our working team. We particularly encourage and seek applications from candidates who have historically been under-represented in our journal including, but not limited to: Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people; non-binary, transgender or gender fluid people; and people with disabilities.

To apply please send a maximum one-page statement identifying how you see the Book Reviews section of the journal developing over the next five years, plus an up-to-date CV to Sarah Weston ([email protected]) and James McLaughlin ([email protected]).

For more information and an informal discussion please contact; Jonathan Pitches ([email protected]) and Libby Worth ([email protected]). Chris Hay ([email protected]) is also available to answer any questions in relation to the role.

Deadline for applications is 5pm (BST), Friday 2nd August 2024.


Call for Editorial Assistant (s)
Journal of Theatre, Dance and Performance Training (TDPT), Routledge

The editorial team of the international journal, Theatre, Dance and Performance Training is seeking to recruit at least one Editorial Assistant to work closely with our two Editors, Professor Jonathan Pitches (University of Leeds) and Dr Libby Worth (Royal Holloway, University of London) and incoming editors Dr Sarah Weston (University of Manchester) and Dr James McLaughlin (University of Greenwich) on this very successful journal, published by Routledge. Now in its 15th year, the journal runs to 4 issues annually and attracts contributions from scholars and practitioners across the globe.

Working on TDPT will offer you unique insights into academic publication and provide you with opportunities to develop your own networks with scholars and practitioners, as well as to contribute to discussions about the content and continued development of the journal. It will offer you good grounding for editorial projects you might want to take on in the future and help demystify the process of journal publication.

You should be:

  • Working in a relevant discipline, and with demonstrable enthusiasm for the Journal’s focus on training.
  • Interested in contemporary debates concerning training and performance and committed to the principles of ethical research
  • Highly organised, efficient with excellent communication skills

Editorial Assistants’ responsibilities include:

  • Acting as an advocate for the journal at conferences and symposia.
  • Liaising with Editors to provide regular updates on the status and content of submitted manuscripts, forthcoming articles and enquiries from authors.
  • Liaising with authors during the publication process and directing enquiries to Editors as necessary.
  • Managing the submission of manuscripts through the web-based peer review tool ScholarOne and helping to source peer reviewers.
  • Compiling the Notes on Contributors for the journal’s accompanying blog.
  • Assisting with the organisation and administration of the Associate Editors’ AGM and annual Training Grounds team meetings.
  • Attending and recording the Associate Editors’ AGM and annual Training Grounds team meetings and disseminating these amongst participants and the Editorial Board.
  • Maintaining accurate records of contact details for Associate Editors and the Editorial Board members and checking that biographies on TDPT website are current.
  • Liaising with publishing staff at Routledge/Taylor and Francis as required.

Candidates with appropriate skills and interests may also offer assistance to the journal’s blog team.

The post is unpaid but all travel and expenses will be paid.

To apply please send a one-page statement of your relevant skills, interests and aspirations for the journal with an accompanying CV to Sarah Weston ([email protected]) and James McLaughlin ([email protected]).

TDPT is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity for all. We will select candidates on the basis of merit, and ability and are working actively to further diversify our working team. We particularly encourage and seek applications from candidates who have historically been under-represented in our journal including, but not limited to: Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people; non-binary, transgender or gender fluid people; and people with disabilities.

For more information and an informal discussion please contact: Professor Jonathan Pitches ([email protected]) and/or Dr Libby Worth ([email protected]).

Deadline is 5pm (BST) on Friday 2nd August 2024

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