Position Description: Title, Book Editor
The AAPT Book Editor will oversee the review, evaluation, and perhaps the solicitation of manuscripts for publication as books by the association. The Book Editor must orchestrate reviews, act as an intermediary between reviewers and authors, and manage the task of handling inquiries about potential manuscripts.
Specific responsibilities include:
The selection of an Editorial Board for approval by the Publications Committee and subsequent approval by the Executive Board. This Board shall be charged with helping the Editor set strategic objectives for AAPT book publications and with performing oversight to ensure that those objectives are met.
The creation and maintenance of submission guidelines for potential authors.
The creation of rubrics to judge the quality and marketability of the books submitted for review. A goal of the AAPT book publications program shall be to become a source of non-dues revenue for the association and so market potential must be evaluated at the same time as the quality. If a book is of high quality, but has marginal market potential, it will not be published. If a book is deemed suitable to be published by AAPT, the Editor shall work with the AAPT staff to set a production and publication schedule.
Overseeing the selection of non-AAPT books to be marketed by the Association.
The Book Editor shall be a member of, and report to, the AAPT Publications Committee. The Book Editor shall be appointed for a three-year term. AAPT publications are reviewed every five years. The Book Editor shall receive an honorarium of $2,500 per year plus travel expenses to attend the two AAPT national meetings. The amount of the honorarium shall be reviewed periodically to determine if adjustments are needed.
Criteria of selection
Candidates will be judged on their interest in physics teaching, acquaintance with the material published on physics teaching, incite on how to determine the marketability of potential publications, and administrative ability. The Search Committee will review all applications and submit a recommendation to the AAPT Executive Board for approval.
Application procedure
The Search Committee welcomes inquiries from those interested in the Editor’s position, as well as nominations of others. These should be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee (contact information below). Applications should include: (1) a cover letter explaining the candidate’s view on (a) how rubrics could be created to judge quality and marketability of the books submitted for review; and (b) how AAPT can create publications as a source of income but still offer quality publications that are useful to physics teachers; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a letter of recommendation from the candidate’s department chair (or equivalent), indicating, among other things, the willingness of the department and institution to support the activities of the AAPT Book Editor; and (4) one additional letter of recommendation. Applications should be received by November 30, 2005 but will be accepted until the position is filled.
Search Committee members
Alexander Dickison, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Physical Sciences, Seminole Community College, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773, (407)328-2202, or by e-mail at dickisoa@scc-fl.edu.
Marsha Hobbs (Jackson Preparatory School), Karl Mamola (Appalachian State Univeristy), and Mary Beth Monroe, Ex Officio (AAPT Secretary and Chair of AAPT Publications)
