Special Announcement: IEEE Annals of the History of Computing Seeks Editor in Chief

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., 6 September 2023 - The IEEE Computer Society is conducting a special search for the next editor in chief (EIC) of IEEE Annals of the History of Computing magazine, a quarterly magazine founded in 1979. The EIC term will begin on 1 May 2024.

Applicants to the IEEE Annals EIC role should be familiar with the publication and possess an excellent understanding of the topics and content we publish. Unique among the IEEE Computer Society portfolio, IEEE Annals publishes articles covering the broad history of computing, including technical, economic, political, social, cultural, institutional, and material aspects of the computer science and engineering field. Showcasing scholarly articles by historians, computer scientists, and interdisciplinary scholars from a range of fields including media studies, science and technology studies, as well as firsthand accounts. IEEE Annals is the primary scholarly publication for recording, analyzing, and debating the history of computing.

Successful candidates must have experience attracting and collaborating with a diverse team of talented and respected individuals who will curate, solicit, and develop content, as well as serve in key editorial board roles. Demonstrated managerial skills are a necessity to ensure timely issue planning, team and task delegation, and processing of content through the editorial and production cycle.

Term Length: The IEEE Annals EIC term will begin on 1 May 2024 and will be for two years, renewable for a second two-year term. 

Deadline: The application deadline is 2 January 2023.

How to Apply: Applications should be submitted online through the EIC Search Application form.

IEEE Annals EIC Responsibilities:

• providing a clear, broad focus through promotion of personal vision and guidance where appropriate;
• identifying and appointing a diverse pool of qualified and engaged editorial board members, with the concurrence of the Computer Society Publications Board;
• directing editorial board members and other collaborators to work as a team in the development of special-issue proposals and manuscripts in specific areas;
• actively soliciting novel, high-quality manuscripts from potential authors;
• ensuring the selection of competent manuscript reviewers, with the help of editorial board members, and managing timely reviews of manuscripts; and
• resolving conflicts or problems as necessary.

IEEE Annals EIC applicants must be IEEE members in good standing; must possess recognized expertise in the field of the publication; must embrace and encourage equity, diversity, and inclusion in their communities; and must have the support of their employer to dedicate the necessary time (20 to 30 hours per month) to serve in this critical role.

 To apply, prospective candidates must provide the following (as PDF files):

1.     A letter describing institutional/employer support for the IEEE Annals editorship (including alleviation of a portion of teaching or project responsibilities, administrative and travel support, and so on), should this position be offered.
2.     A plan or vision statement detailing the applicant’s course of action and plans with respect to IEEE Annals, to include:

• the applicant’s perspective of IEEE Annals, including challenges and opportunities;
• a discussion of how the applicant will meet challenges and leverage opportunities;
• a description of the objective milestones and projected schedule associated with the intermediate and final accomplishment of these tasks;
• a plan for the projected organization to accomplish these tasks, including suggested individuals the applicant intends to recruit to the IEEE Annals board or the type of expertise that would be most beneficial; and
• the funding requirements to accomplish these tasks, if any.

3.     A complete curriculum vitae, including publications and editorial experience.

About the IEEE Computer Society