Managing Editor, Muqarnas

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of the Aga Khan Program of Islamic Art (AKPIA), at the Harvard University Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA), the Managing Editor is responsible for all aspects of production of Muqarnas and Supplements to Muqarnas.

Auto req ID

59544BR

Job Code

CM0356 Publications Management I

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Managing Editor, Muqarnas

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

056

Time Status

Full-time

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Basic Qualifications

MA degree, plus 3 to 5 years related editorial experience. Reading knowledge of at least one European language and one Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Persian, or Turkish). Reading knowledge of the Arabic alphabet required

Additional Qualifications and Skills

PhD in the Humanities strongly preferred (or a PhD candidate ideally in Middle East Studies, History, or Islamic Art/Architecture/Archaeology). Must have experience using editing tools in Word and Adobe Acrobat; familiarity with image scanning and editing programs such as Photoshop; strong working knowledge of publishing procedures, including the Chicago Manual of Style.

Additional Information

The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Art (AKPIA) at the Harvard Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA) is an art and architectural history enterprise with a strong historical rather than applied basis (unlike the affiliated Aga Khan Programs at MIT and the Harvard Graduate School of Design). Therefore, the AKPIA at Harvard/FAS focuses its outreach activities primarily on producing two scholarly publications, which differentiate this program from its affiliates. Responsibilities of the Aga Khan Professor, who is the Director of the AKPIA/FAS Program in HAA, include the Editorship of both publications: [1] Muqarnas: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World (published annually, currently vol. 39); and [2) Supplements to Muqamas: Studies and Sources on Islamic Art and Architecture (currently volume 14, published occasionally). The Managing Editor reports directly to the Editor and is responsible for copyediting and coordinating production of these two publications. These publications contain top-level scholarship produced by leading and emerging scholars in the field, including AKPIA/FAS program visiting postdoctoral fellows/associates, graduates of the program, as well as the proceedings of conferences and annual lecture series, thereby making a major impact on the international visibility and improvement of the field of Islamic art and architecture. The Managing Editor position oversees the in-house publications of the AKPIA at FAS, published by Brill in Leiden, and is responsible for all written communication with this publishing house. Supplements to Muqarnas and the newly added "Notes and Sources" subsection of Muqarnas have increasingly focused on written and visual/material primary sources on Islamic art and architectural history, especially translations of these texts into English (from Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Romance languages).

Department

Department of History of Art and Architecture

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Job Function

Communications

Position Description

• Edits two scholarly publications for style, substance, sense, and organization using electronic track changes tools in Word. Often performs extensive rewriting and reorganization of technical academic text. Identifies missing information or logical errors and formulates written requests for authors to resolve these issues. Has final edit responsibility before manuscripts go to production.
• Proofreads all articles, sends proofs to authors and sets deadlines, evaluates and electronically collates requested changes from authors using Adobe Acrobat, sends all requested proofreading changes to the publisher Brill (Leiden). Assesses photo quality and aesthetic appeal of layout. Carefully checks proofs from Brill to ensure all changes have been executed correctly. Independently corresponds and negotiates with authors and managers at Brill (Leiden) to resolve all issues related to production deadlines.
• Peer review: receives new submissions and sends them to the Editor (Aga Khan Professor at HAA) for review; based on two anonymous readers named by the Editor for each article; issues written requests for scholars to review new submissions; sets deadlines for reviews; reads, evaluates, and edits completed written reports; communicates Editor's decisions to authors; resolves any problems or questions concerning results of the peer-review process.
• Handles correspondence with potential authors; is available for consultation with authors by phone, Zoom or in person; answers incoming questions related to past or present volumes of Muqarnas; sets deadlines and follows up with authors and reviewers to track and maintain timely production schedules.
• Manages product integration with in-house staff for Muqarnas and newly expanded Supplements series, including training and supervising graduate students who check transliterations and bibliographic references for accuracy
• Supervises and evaluates performance of external editors who provide assistance in copyediting articles, especially for long Muarnas volumes and the newly expanded Supplements series. Also supervises external language experts who edit transliterations of Arabic, Persian, Turkish spellings. Reviews and proofreads texts provided by external experts as well as the final proofs sent by the publisher Brill.
• Consults regularly with Aga Khan Program Bibliographer and Visual Collections Librarian of the Fine Arts Library during the production process. Takes initiative in having publications reviewed and publicized and in promoting their visibility and impact. Also proofreads Harvard Aga Khan Program annual newsletter, lecture series poster, and in-house editing for two Aga Khan Program faculty members as needed

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.