Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online seeks new Associate Editors

Kōtuitui is an international, open-access journal publishing high-quality, interdisciplinary research across the social sciences. While maintaining a strong focus on issues relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand, the journal is actively expanding its geographic scope to engage more fully with the wider Asia-Pacific region. We warmly welcome applications from researchers based in, or whose work addresses, social issues across the Asia-Pacific, to help strengthen Kōtuitui’s international perspective and collaborative network.

As part of a strategic effort to broaden the journal’s global coverage, this editorial expansion aims to ensure comprehensive representation of social science research across the Asia-Pacific. We particularly encourage applications from researchers based in these regions, as well as those elsewhere whose work is relevant to the Asia-Pacific context.

We welcome applications from active, publishing researchers who are well-connected within their research communities, both nationally and internationally. Prior editorial or peer-reviewing experience for high-quality journals is highly valued. We particularly encourage applications from researchers who reflect the diversity of the global social sciences community.

The journal continues to perform strongly, with an Impact Factor of 1.6 (Clarivate Analytics, 2024) and a CiteScore of 3.5 (Scopus, 2024), reinforcing its international visibility and influence in the social sciences.

Starting in 2026, all Royal Society Te Aparangi journals, including Kōtuitui, will be published in partnership with Wiley. This new collaboration reflects our ambition to expand the reach, impact, and long-term sustainability of our journals. Wiley brings deep subject expertise, global visibility, and a strong commitment to society publishing, including 100+ open access transformative agreements worldwide. We are confident this partnership will open new opportunities for our journals and the wider research community.

Expertise required

Candidates should bring expertise in any aspect of the social sciences, including (but not limited to):

• Disciplines: sociology, political science, anthropology, human geography, demographics and statistics, Indigenous Studies.
• Applied / policy areas: education, health, public policy, welfare, social work.
• Thematic / population-focused areas: families and parenting, children and young people, ethnicity, gender studies, cultural studies, discrimination, refugees and immigration.

The responsibilities for Associate Editor include

• Managing the peer-review and final decision process for approximately five manuscripts per year in a fair, timely, and thorough way;
• Identifying themes for Special Issues which you might also help to organise and/or guest-edit; 
• Contributing at least one paper for publication during each term of your service;
• Attracting new authors and submissions; 
• Advising on journal policy and scope;
• Promoting the journal to peers and colleagues and represent the journal at conferences.  

To be considered for the position, you will have 

• A strong track record of peer-reviewed publications (considered in relation to career stage);
• A good network of contacts within relevant fields in your region and overseas;
• Research experience in social science with a doctorate degree;
• Interest in digital communication and publishing trends;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to organise, prioritise, and focus;
• The ability to read and assess the novelty, context and implications of research submitted to the journal from different areas of this discipline;
• A willingness to meet researchers on various occasions, learn more about them and their research, and help them to learn more about us;
• A willingness to engage with researchers at conferences, or other professional events, learn more about their work and share information about the journal.
• The ability to work cooperatively with fellow editors of the journal. 

Term 

The first term of appointment will be 2 years. 

How to apply

Applicants should submit the following materials to publish@royalsociety.org.nz

• A two-page CV
• A one-page cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how your skills, knowledge, and experience would contribute to the journal

For any questions about the role or the journal, please contact the publishing office at the same email address.

Closing date

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until 31 October 2025; therefore early applications are encouraged. We regret that only successful candidates will be contacted by the Editorial team.