Disability Studies Quarterly (DSQ, dsq-sds.org) is seeking an Assistant Editor. This position is best suited for a graduate student who is interested in writing and editorial work in disability studies or a related field.
DSQ Assistant Editor Responsibilities: The DSQ Editor-in-Chief will negotiate duties and expectations of the Assistant Editor position to meet the needs of the journal and to match the skills of the Assistant Editor. The Editor will also provide training opportunities to develop and strengthen the Assistant Editor’s skillsets. There will be two Assistant Editors who will work collaboratively with the Editor-in-Chief.
Assistant Editor responsibilities will comprise no more than 250 work hours over a one-year (52-week) period; a five-hour/week commitment should be the average though the weekly load fluctuates based on the journal’s quarterly deadlines. Assistant Editor responsibilities could include the following, depending on the journal’s needs and the Assistant Editor’s skills:
- managing and refereeing the peer review process for assigned submissions
- recommending reviewers for new submissions
- responding to emails from authors and reviewers
- collaborating on final editorial decisions
- writing decision letters
- participating in weekly editorial meetings via zoom
- creating agendas for editorial meetings
- copyediting in Microsoft Word
- working with the Janeway software to manage editorial workflow (training provided)
- posting to social media
- updating the DSQ editorial board members
- updating the DSQ user database
- assisting in communication with the SDS Board and the Board’s DSQ Liaison and serving as an ex-officio member of the SDS Publications Committee
Qualifications: This position is best suited to a graduate student who is interested in writing and editorial work in disability studies. The Assistant Editor will work remotely and can live anywhere, but should be comfortable with Zoom, Microsoft Word, Gmail, and Google Drive. The Assistant Editor will also need to learn and use the Janeway software system for managing article submissions and editorial workflow; OSU Libraries and the editorial team will provide training for this system. Other than weekly meetings, the work schedule is asynchronous and flexible. Applicants should have an academic and/or community background in disability studies and a strong commitment to the perspectives of disabled people. We especially encourage folks who identify as disabled, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, im/migrant, non-binary and/or multiply marginalized to apply.
Funding: The Society for Disability Studies (SDS) will provide a stipend of $5,100 for the Assistant Editor position, for a maximum of 250 hours of work. This is an independent contractor position and requires completion of IRS form W9. The stipend is paid monthly in the amount of $425. Benefits also include free SDS membership and free access to all SDS events while in the position.
Accommodations and Additional Support: The SDS President will provide additional support as needed and address funding requests for any needed disability access accommodations; such funding will be in addition to the $5,100 stipend.
TO APPLY:
Send a cv and a brief one- or two-page letter that describes your skills and why you want to do this job. Questions to consider include:
Why do you want to do this Assistant Editor work?
What experience do you have that relates to this position? We are interested in your research, editing experience, teaching, service, advocacy, and/or other life experience (especially disability-related) you think is relevant.
How comfortable are you dealing with scholarship from disciplines that are far from your own research?
Deadline for application: April 15, 2026
Please send your letter of application as a Word document (.docx) attachment to dsqeditors@disstudies.org and write “Assistant Editor Application” in the subject line.