Please submit application materials electronically no later than February 10, 2025.

The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) invites applications for the editorship of American Antiquity—the first journal published by the Society, currently in its 89th volume. The term is ordinarily for three years and may be renewed once with the approval of the Publications Committee and SAA Board. The editorship falls vacant on May 1, 2026, when the current editor, Debra L. Martin, completes her term. The editorship is preceded by a one-year transition with the current editor, beginning with the editor-designate’s appointment in spring 2025 until the start of the new editor’s term in spring 2026.

Together with Latin American Antiquity (LAA) and Advances in Archaeological Practice (AAP), American Antiquity is offered to SAA members and institutional subscribers. The SAA published its journals from the Society’s founding until 2017, when it entered into a partnership agreement with Cambridge University Press (CUP). This partnership enhances the journals’ visibility and impact worldwide and streamlines the production process for the editors. The SAA continues to own its journals, and the journal editors implement their own editorial visions during their terms. The SAA Board is strongly committed to providing the means by which all of the Society’s journals will flourish in changing conditions for academic publishing.

In addition to encouraging submissions, the editor oversees the progress of an article from the time it is submitted electronically through the Editorial Manager® system until a decision is made. Although the editor is responsible for substantive editing of an article, technical copyediting is done by CUP as part of the production process. The editor has final responsibility for all journal content within general policies established by the SAA Board but works closely with the SAA’s publishing team at CUP and the SAA’s publications manager and interfaces with the editors of the other SAA journals and the SAA Publications Committee throughout their editorship. The current SAA Style Guide can be downloaded from https://www.saa.org/publications/american-antiquity.

Although editors of the SAA’s journals have often been senior scholars with many years of experience, less-senior individuals may also be able to devote the time and attention to the journal that it requires. Specific editing experience is helpful. As has been the practice at LAA and AAP, a team of two co-editors can also make a proposal to edit American Antiquity. Proposers may indicate whether they would prefer to work alone, are applying as part of a team of two, or would prefer to work as part of a team but don’t have a co-editor to suggest and are open to suggestions from the task force.

Applications are made via proposal to the chair of the SAA task force (see below) that should include (a) discussion of the applicant’s vision for the journal and how it would be achieved; (b) relevant qualifications and experience, including a current curriculum vitae (for both applicants and an assistant, if one is recommended); (c) a realistic budget for the editorial term; and (d) a letter from the host institution/employer confirming this level of support (including any release time). Editors do not receive compensation for their service, but applications should contain a financial proposal that demonstrates how the expenses of the editorial office will be met through support from the SAA as well as the applicant’s institution/employer. The editor should receive enough release time from his/her employer to ensure that they have sufficient time to carry out their duties.  

Potential applicants for the editorship should make an expression of interest to the chair of the editorial search task force at the earliest possible date to discuss the position, answer any questions, and as appropriate encourage the applicant to submit a proposal for the editorship. Submit application materials electronically no later than February 10, 2025, to Tim Kohler, Chair, American Antiquity Editorial Search Task Force and Regents Professor of Anthropology (emeritus), Washington State University, (509) 335-2698; Email: [email protected]