Logging On - Spring 2024

Position Announcement: Disputatio Section Co-Editor, Kairos

Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy is seeking applications for a Disputatio Section Co-Editor.

We have an immediate opening for one qualified candidate for the position of Disputatio Section Co-Editor at Kairos, a refereed online journal exploring the intersections of rhetoric, technology, and pedagogy (http://kairos.technorhetoric.net). Disputatio is an editorially reviewed section that publishes mini-manifestos, “letters” to the readership, and other short works that might be couched in current theory or praxis but don't require/desire an extensive scholarly scaffolding. Recently published Disputatio texts have included multimedia commentaries on leaving academia, interactive fiction, multivocality and rhetorical attunement, and using Twitch in the composition classroom.

The Disputatio Co-Editorship is a volunteer position that requires 3ish hours a week on average, heavier during twice-yearly production cycles, with benefits to be paid in editorial professional development, a stronger sense of community within the computers-and-writing field, pride, beverages of your choice, and a letter of recommendation/tenure letter for a job well done.

Responsibilities

Successful candidates will join the current Disputatio Editor Rick Wysocki to collaboratively produce webtexts with authors (with training and guidance from the journal's senior editorial team, as needed) for the spring and fall issues of Kairos. Kairos has robust documentation that outlines how to do each of these tasks, if you're unfamiliar with some or all of these editorial duties. On-the-job-training will be provided!

Duties include such tasks as:

  • Soliciting submissions and guiding potential contributors with early webtext development in focus and design
  • Mentoring contributors at developmental and revision stages of their webtexts
  • Performing initial reviews of Disputatio submissions
  • Drafting and providing feedback to authors in a timely and professional manner
  • Collaborating closely with a co-editor on a vision for the section
  • Collaborating with the editors, managing editor, and other section editors to ensure a cohesive publication
  • Attending monthly 1-hour Zoom meetings to perform brief, collaborative peer reviews for webtexts submitted to other sections of the journal and leading other editors through submissions to your section for this process
  • Proofreading and design-editing webtexts in your and other sections of the journal on a set schedule, twice a year, with the assistance of assistant editors (under the lead editor's guidance).

Skills for this Position

Having some but not all of these skills won't disqualify you. You should definitely still apply!

Required Skills
  • Familiarity with Kairos's mission and scholarly vision
  • Working knowledge of scholarly fields related to digital writing studies
  • A commitment to anti-racism in scholarly publishing, as outlined in our Inclusivity Plan
  • Ability to correspond efficiently, accurately, and in a timely manner with other editors and authors in several digital environments (e.g. email, Slack, wiki, Discord)
  • Attention to detail and keeping up with deadlines without prompting
  • Ability to synthesize feedback from other editors into actionable suggestions for revision for authors
  • Functional knowledge/use of HTML editors, web architecture, FTP software, and basic XHTML/CSS
  • Basic proofreading, APA-style copy-editing, and usability-testing skills
preferred Skills
  • Prior developmental or production-oriented editorial experience
  • Ability to read/edit/write HTML5 and CSS without a WYSIWYG
  • Knowledge of digital accessibility practices
  • Troubleshooting Javascript functionality is a bonus

Our Commitment to DEI

This position is open for anyone to apply, and Kairos especially encourages underrepresented scholars—those who identify as multi-marginalized, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, disabled, and others, including those from any academic rank or affiliation/connection—to apply. Please refer to our Inclusivity Action Plan to read about our ongoing DEI efforts. If you read the skills below and say “not me” because you don't tick every one of those boxes, we still want you to apply. Kairos is well-known for its robust on-the-job training programs for editors and editorial assistants. We can make it all gloriously work well for the right candidate, but we won't know if that's you unless you apply. Nearly all of our positions are collaborative, and the senior editorial team works hard to ensure that labor distribution is feasible for these volunteer positions. Please consider joining our community to see what one of the best and most innovative journals in the world is doing to produce excellent, inclusive scholarship. Candidates who want to conduct research and/or teaching related to this position's responsibilities are welcome.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with review of materials to start February 15, 2024.

To be considered, please send the following materials to Kairos Senior Editors Douglas Eyman and Cheryl Ball at kairosrtp@gmail.com[Subject line: Disputatio Co-Editor application: Full Name]:

  • An in-email letter of application that describes your qualifications for the position (2-3ish paragraphs, more or less).
  • A C.V. that includes relevant qualifications (as an attached document or embedded link).
  • The name, email address, and title/affiliation of a person willing to recommend you for the position.

Questions about the position can be sent to Cheryl and Doug at the above address. Please include the position title in the subject line for queries. The position will start immediately upon hire (roughly mid-March) and includes several months of Kairos and editorial training, as needed.