Nominate the Next IOP Editor

The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) is now soliciting nominations for the position of editor-in-chief of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (IOP).  The new editor will be selected by the Publications Board and approved by the Executive Board. The new editor-in-training will begin working with the current editor immediately upon selection in order to assume the role as soon as possible. The term of the position will end on April 17, 2027 (the culmination of the 2027 SIOP annual conference).

The editor must be a SIOP Fellow or Member. Any SIOP Fellow or Member can nominate others or self-nominate for the editorship. SIOP particularly welcomes nominations from SIOP members who are also members of groups underrepresented in the field of industrial and organizational psychology.

IOP Description

IOP is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of SIOP.

New in 2024, IOP will welcome a variety of article types:

Focal articles focus on interactive exchanges on topics of importance to science and practice in our field. The novel format of the journal focuses on interactive exchanges using a focal article–peer commentary format. A focal article is a position paper on an important issue for the field (or potentially a pair of papers taking opposite sides in a debate). Such a focal article might summarize evidence on an issue and take a position as to implications for science, practice, or public policy. The paper might focus on a basic science issue, an applied science issue, a practice issue, and/or a public policy issue (many would be a blend). The focal article is then followed by a series of peer commentaries. These could challenge or critique the original article, expand on issues not addressed in the focal article, or draw out implications not developed in the focal article. The goal is to include commentaries from various perspectives, including science, practice, policy, international, and underrepresented perspectives.

Empirical reports are short reports of empirical research. IOP considers articles on any topic relevant to the field of I-O psychology. These articles should be written with the goal of informing science and practice. Open science practices such as preregistration and data sharing will be strongly encouraged for these articles. Scale validations, replications, and methods demonstrations are welcome.

Requirements for IOP Editor

The newly selected editor will work with the SIOP Executive Board to shape policy and practice regarding the expanded scope of the journal.  Thus, the editor must have:

• a broad knowledge of topic areas and leading experts in the field of I-O
• an understanding of the various perspectives that exist regarding important issues to the field
• the ability to solicit and develop both empirical and focal articles from all types of contributors (e.g., academics, researchers, practitioners, business leaders, and policymakers) to ensure a balanced set of perspectives
• a plan for publishing articles that are high quality and of interest to a variety of audiences both within and outside I-O  
• the organizational skills necessary to manage a large journal
• sufficient time to devote to the journal on a regular and uninterrupted basis for 3 years

Information for Applicants

The journal publishes four issues per year. These issues will consist of focal articles and responses, or empirical articles, or both, and may be arranged into special themes or collections as appropriate.

Below is a rundown of activities for each issue of IOP along with time estimates:

• Scan the environment looking for topics (5–10 hours)
• Select two topics. Network to get suggestions for potential authors on the topics (5–10 hours)
• Enlist authors to write on the topics (5 hours)
• Respond to inquiries from authors or potential authors (about the suitability of topics for focal articles and empirical articles, unsolicited manuscript submissions, the commentary process, etc.) (10–15 hours)
• Identify editorial board members for each article to review drafts and to review commentaries (3–6 members) (2 hours)
• Review outlines and drafts; solicit external reviews as time permits (5–10 hours)
• Accept final drafts of focal articles: post to SIOP web site (1 hour)
• Identify potential commentators; send email encouraging them to submit (2 hours)
• Receive commentaries. Solicit multiple reviews of each (5–10 hours)
• Read all commentaries; assimilate reviewer input, write decision letters (30–40 hours)
• Receive revisions; make final decisions on commentaries (5–10 hours)

The average workload is 6–8 hours per week, however, the volume of work is not consistent from week to week. Because of the number of hours required, it is typical for the institution of which the editor is a faculty member to provide a teaching and/or service reduction to editors serving in this capacity. Equivalent support should be provided by nonacademic employers, although the nature of that support will naturally come in different forms across jobs and employers.

Nomination and Application Information

If you are interested in serving as the IOP Editor, or if you know someone who might, submit your nomination or self-nomination via email by August 15, 2023, to Reeshad Dalal (rdalal@gmu.edu) with email subject line “IOP Editor Nomination.” Nominations or self-nominations need only be a brief email announcing the nomination (and, in cases involving nominations of others rather than self-nominations, an indication that the person being nominated is interested in the position and has agreed to submit a full application by the deadline indicated below).

All nominated individuals should submit their application package by October 1, 2023, to Reeshad Dalal (rdalal@gmu.edu) with email subject line “IOP Editor Application.” Each application package should include: (a) electronic versions of a current CV, (b) a statement that describes the nominee’s organization and time-management skills, relevant experience (e.g., with journal editorial boards, open science, and, if applicable, with IOP itself), and vision for IOP, (c) a brief formal statement to the effect that the nominee has sufficient time to devote to the journal on a regular and uninterrupted basis for 3 years, and (d) three letters of recommendation from SIOP Fellows or Members.