JAPA Book Review Editor Call for Applications

The Journal of the American Planning Association seeks a new Book Review Editor. Successful applicants will combine scholarly expertise with a broad interest in planning practice. The deadline for applications has been extended to February 17, 2026.

The Book Review Editor has substantial autonomy but will work with the JAPA Editor and Editorial Board to ensure the highest quality and most relevant content is published in JAPA, for the benefit of scholars and planners in all practice settings. The role will also engage with the American Planning Association (APA) Editor in Chief in areas such as communications and promotions of reviews, and will be supported by a professional Managing Editor employed by APA. The term is four years and six months and comes with a small stipend.<

The role includes the following scope of work:

• Identifying, soliciting, and receiving key books (and other kinds of works) for potential review in the Journal from across the planning field.
• Assigning the appropriate reviewer(s) and establishing the reviewer's willingness to prepare a fair review of the work on an appropriate timeline for publication in the Journal.
• Obtaining and evaluating reviews prepared, communicating with reviewers as needed, and generally keeping an appropriate flow of quality reviews.
• Conducting initial substantive copyediting and uploading documents into the editorial management system for use by the Managing Editor according to established production processes and deadlines.
• Working with APA staff, the publisher, and the editorial team to promote reviews via social media.
• Maintaining administrative files for the review section, including files of communications with reviewers and others.
• Keeping the Editor, Managing Editor, and APA Editor in Chief apprised of ongoing work.
• Participating in two Editorial Board meetings annually (currently virtual) and providing reports about the status of the section.
• Time commitment varies, but candidates should expect at least two hours a week, plus time spent quarterly identifying books and other media and commissioning reviewers.
• The successful candidate will assume the position of Book Review Editor on June 1, 2026. The term of the editorship is four years and six months (June 1, 2026, to December 31, 2031). (In 2026 only, this typically four-year term includes an additional six months to realign future Book Review Editor start dates to January.)
• APA will contract directly with the successful candidate and provide a small stipend. In addition to the annual stipend, candidates may seek institutional recognition of the service commitment, such as a course release or other workload adjustment, student help, or space provision, subject to approval by their department chair or home institution. 

Application

The application must include:

• A 500-1,000-word statement.
• CV.
• Names, phone numbers, and emails for two references.

The statement should address the following topics.

• What you will bring to the role.
• A vision for the scope of the section, topically, and in terms of media reviewed and review formats.
• How the JAPA review section can continue and evolve within the landscape of other reviews, e.g., other journals, blogs, etc.

Send applications to JAPA Managing Editor Michelle Trevino at japame@planning.org by February 17, 2026. It is expected that the Book Review Editor will be introduced to the JAPA Editorial Board at the Spring 2026 JAPA Editorial Board meeting.

Questions can be addressed to the JAPA Editor, Yan Song, at ys@email.unc.edu and the outgoing Book Review Editor, Adam Millard-Ball, at adammb@ucla.edu.

JAPA Editor Yan Song will establish a committee to select the new Book Review Editor.