Supported by Liverpool University Press, The Academy has launched its new Open Access journal, Developing Academic Practice.
Call for Editor and Associate Editors
The Academy is seeking to appoint a new Editor and a number of Associate Editors for the journal.
The deadline for both roles is Friday, 15 August 2025.
The journal is growing steadily, with full text downloads rising by more than 64% in 2024 to 5,287. With support from Liverpool University Press, the Academy, and a committed Editorial Board, it is now reaching readers not just in the UK, but also in countries like the United States, India, the Philippines, and Australia.
Editor
We are seeking an experienced and committed individual to serve as Editor of our scholarship journal. This prestigious voluntary role offers an opportunity to shape and support the academic development of staff and students at the University of Liverpool through the dissemination of scholarly work in learning and teaching. Prior experience in an editorial role is highly desirable, and a demonstrated record of supporting Editorial Boards is essential.
- Editor expression of interest (DOCX, 30KB)
Associate Editor
We are seeking several colleagues to join the Advisory Board and the editorial board as Associate Editors, supporting the effective operation and continued development of the journal. Your voluntary involvement in the process lends itself well to enhancing your impact and experience which can be very useful in applications for Fellowship with Advance HE and SEDA as well as internal promotion applications.
- Associate Editor expression of interest (DOCX, 29KB)
Frequently asked questions
How much time will I need to dedicate to these roles?
The Editor role typically involves reading submissions which have been made with a view to assessing their suitability to be allocated to Associate Editors who oversee the review process by allocating and monitoring two independent reviewers. The Editor also makes a final decision and communicates with authors. Traditionally, there have been meetings every few weeks with the Editorial Team and the Editor liaises with admin support to set agendas and chair the meetings. The commitment is in the region of one day per week although might vary slightly at times such as helping coordinate special issues.
The Associate Editor role involves allocating reviewers from the extensive database that we have and ensuring the timely turnaround of processing the reviews as well as making decisions where there are differences in judgements from the reviewers. The Associate Editor is the first line of support for the Editor and might be asked to stand-in for example when the editor cannot attend meetings or lead on a certain aspect of the publication process depending on their experience and expertise. The role would typically take a few hours every two weeks, depending on when you are processing reviews. Associate Editors would normally get 6-8 papers to review a year.
Advisory Board members are there to support Associate Editors and be involved in evaluating article submissions with a view to maintaining standards within the journal. There will be opportunities for Editorial Advisory Board members to further contribute to the journal for example, acting as Guest editor for special editions. You would be asked to join four meetings a year and be available to review 3-4 articles a year.
What will I be asked to do?
The Editor and Associate Editors are all involved in making important decisions to ensure good ethical procedure and copyright is not compromised and have opportunity to influence the future direction of the journal. As an Editorial Board, they report to the Director of the Academy and act as liaison between Liverpool University Press, authors and aspiring authors and reviewers. The Editorial team are sometimes asked to offer mentoring to colleagues within the wider editorial board and organise for new reviewers to be able to shadow newer reviewers.
What support will be made available?
The journal is funded and supported by The Academy with some administrative support. Liverpool University Press are our publishers and provide advice with a highly responsive and supportive team who can attend meetings and help promote the journal at internal events such as the Pedagogic Research Conference. In addition to the Associate editors, there is a larger Editorial Advisory Board who have a wide range of expertise and ensure we have a solid network and community to share good practice. Regular team meetings and clear documentation, as well as scholar one videos on 'how to' will help you build confidence and contribute effectively.
What experience do I need to apply?
For the Editor role, prior editorial experience and involvement in scholarly publishing is highly desirable. For Associate Editors/Advisory Board members, a strong interest in academic practice, experience in publishing or reviewing, and a commitment to professional development are key.
What are the benefits of being involved?
These voluntary roles offer excellent professional development, enhanced visibility, and opportunities for impact. They also provide evidence towards Advance HE Fellowship or SEDA accreditation and are useful for annual review or promotion.
How do I apply and when is the deadline?
To apply, please follow the instructions in the expression of interest forms.
The deadline for applications is 15 August 2025, with appointments expected by mid-September 2025.
Latest publications
Through this journal, colleagues have the opportunity to contribute articles in relation to hybrid active learning, practice and pedagogies. The journal will become a cornerstone of the University's thriving culture of educational excellence and a vehicle to enhance the work of colleagues across the institution.
Special issue
Our special issue focusing on EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) following on from the 2023 Pedagogic Research Conference, has now been published:
Our next special issue will focus on AI in Learning and Teaching
Following the success of the recent Pedagogic Research Conference 2024, the special issue of DAP invites contributions in areas of developing academic practice, leadership and innovation in relation to generative artificial intelligence (AI) that show a forward-looking scholarly approach to how AI has been used in innovative ways in practice for learning and teaching, especially how evaluative judgment has been supported in the context of generative tools that can be transferred from one practice to another. Our vision for the issue is something that people can read and use, so we encourage submissions concerning innovative practice.
- Call for papers - Special issue on AI in Learning and Teaching (PDF, 159KB)
- Teaching strengths and weaknesses of Generative AI (PDF, 211KB)
- COPE position statement on Authorship and AI Tools
Invitation to contribute
The Developing Academic Practice Journal invites contributions for future publications in the areas of:
- Developing academic practice
- Developing academic leadership
- Innovation in education.
Possible areas to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
- Engaging students in the virtual classroom
- Innovative assessment and feedback methods
- Ideologies, dominant assumptions and grand narratives in scholarship and professional development
- Engagement, impact and the evaluation of scholarship
- Digital education/technology-enhanced learning
- Values, ethics and critiques of education practice
- Learning and teaching philosophies in education
- Policy development in higher education and entrepreneurship
- Inclusive education.
The Editors welcome submissions which can take one of the following formats:
- Reflective articles: up to 1,000 words, excluding references
- Case studies: up to 2,000 words, excluding references
- Research papers: up to 5,000 words excluding references
- Communication articles: up to 1,000 words excluding references
Developing Academic Practice is a continuous publication. If you have work that you would like to be considered for the journal, please submit your paper and abstract via our manuscript processing platform (ScholarOne Manuscripts). To access ScholarOne Manuscripts you will need to create a user account. A guide and FAQs are also available.
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