Vacancy: Chair of the Age & Ageing Editorial Board and the Executive Committee

The British Geriatrics Society is recruiting a new Chair of the Editorial Board and Executive Committee for its prestigious, international scientific journal, Age and Ageing. Expressions of interest are invited from qualified candidates to succeed Professor Finbarr Martin as Chair after a period of handover in late spring 2025. This is an unpaid position, but travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Age and Ageing aims to publish high-quality content intended to build the evidence base and ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare for older people. The journal’s Impact Factor has grown steadily in recent years, and now stands at 6.0, making the journal’s worldwide ranking in the Si: Geriatrics & Gerontology category 7th out of 74.

1. Overall purpose:

To ensure that the BGS journal, Age and Ageing, continues to have a reputation as an internationally respected academic publication, which publishes high-quality scientific and clinical articles on geriatric medicine and strives for the highest ethical standards.

2. Specific responsibilities:

  • To chair the twice-yearly meetings of the Editorial Board and quarterly meetings of the Editorial Executive Committee
  • To act as a sounding board for the Editor-in-Chief and advise on publication ethics, editorial and publication strategy and policy
  • To keep abreast of developments in medical/academic publishing and ensure the BGS and the editorial team of the journal are sighted on such developments and appropriately prepared
  • To participate in recruitment of the Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor-in-Chief and help to facilitate a smooth transition
  • To advise the Editor-in-Chief on potential members of the Editorial Board (Senior and Associate Editors) and International Advisory Panel (the journal’s advisory body representing geographic regions)
  • To help ensure the editorial independence and quality of the journal
  • To help maintain a positive relationship between the British Geriatrics Society and the journal
  • To help ensure the journal and relevant content are promoted and communicated with a view to increasing the sharing of research findings and their application to clinical practice
  • To help maintain a positive relationship between the journal and its publisher, OUP
  • To help maintain the financial viability and sustainability of the journal as an income source for the BGS
  • To advise the BGS on the strategy to ensure the journal’s long-term survival and impact in light of changes to the environment for medical publishing and scholarly publishing models.

3. Person specification:

Knowledge, skills and capabilities: Candidates for Chair should have broad experience of medical publishing – as an editor, associate editor or peer reviewer. A knowledge of clinical gerontology and other aspects of ageing is essential. The candidate will have a sound understanding of research methodology and publication ethics. S/he will be aware of measures of the journal’s impact, and have knowledge of recent developments in medical publishing, including research funders’ moves to drive open access.

The Chair should have an international perspective and be aware of global trends in Geriatric Medicine. Past Chairs have been consultants in Geriatric Medicine, but we welcome applications from all professions delivering healthcare for older people. Candidates who are not clinicians but who have a background in Gerontology will be considered. The candidate will be a member of the British Geriatrics Society (BGS).

Skills in chairing meetings: The candidate should have a record of running successful meetings. They should be able to lead the Editorial Board and Executive Committee meetings. The Chair has a lead role in setting the meetings’ agendas, checking and approving the minutes and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of committee members. These tasks involve collaborative working with the Editor-in-Chief and with the Editorial Manager, who is a BGS staff member.

The administration of the meetings (including the preparation and documentation of the minutes) is done by the Editorial Manager.

The Chair should lead the Editorial Board and Executive Committee as a team - harnessing views, building consensus and resolving potential conflicts creatively and decisively. S/he should ensure that impartiality and objectivity influence decision-making. S/he should monitor decisions and ensure that they are implemented.

Time commitment: This is not an onerous role but adequate time must be given to preparing for the Editorial Board and Executive Committee meetings. Meetings are held online, with every third Editorial Board meeting held in person during a BGS three-day national conference. The Editorial Board and the Executive Committee have international members, so meetings are planned to be at a time suitable for the majority to attend. There are two Editorial Board meetings a year (usually held in May and November) and four (90-minute) Executive Committee meetings. The Chair has informal discussions (usually by phone or email) with the Editor-in-Chief and with the Chief Executive of the BGS. The post is for five years, with an extension if there is a new Editor-in-Chief in the fifth year.

Personal attributes: the Chair should be diplomatic, reliable, fair and able to respect confidences. They should welcome new members to the committee meetings. They should be able to work closely with the editorial team, Editorial Manager, BGS CEO and the staff of the journal’s publishers (Oxford University Press). A working knowledge of social media is desirable. Leadership skills will be demonstrated by a track record of success in comparable leadership roles.

Governance: Familiarity with editorial, financial and publishing ethics is needed, together with knowledge of dealing with plagiarism, fraud and multiple submissions. Some knowledge of the Committee for Publication Ethics (COPE), Office of Research Integrity, the World Association of Medical Editors, the Society Publishers’ Coalition and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors would be an advantage.

Declarations of interest: The post holder must state whether s/he has any conflict of interest before each editorial meeting and update this information annually.

Expenses: The role is not remunerated. Travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed.

How to find out more

Further information can be obtained from the current Chair, Professor Finbarr Martin (email: finbarr [dot] martin [at] kcl [dot] ac [dot] uk).

How to apply

Please email your tailored CV and a brief covering letter (max 2 sides) explaining how you meet the person specification to Mark Stewart, BGS Office and Business Manager (m [dot] stewart [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk) by 9am on 17 February 2025. Interviews will be held online on the afternoon of 13 March.