The Journal of the Early Republic is a quarterly publication committed to the best scholarship on the history and culture of the United States during the early republic (1776–1861). Since its beginning in 1981, the journal has carved out a unique and important position in the landscape of historical publications, fostering a rich conversation among specialists of all types who share an interest in the period’s history, in all of its complex dimensions. The JER strives to provide healthy and creative discourse among new and veteran scholars, across a variety of historical topics, including politics, culture, gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, class, religion, economic development, and law.

 

Editors must be active members of SHEAR at time of appointment and throughout their tenure. The successful applicant will serve as editor with the term of appointment to begin at the conclusion of the July 2026 SHEAR conference.  We hope to announce the appointment of the new editor or co-editors in January 2025 to allow for shadowing outgoing editors Johann Neem and Ronald Angelo Johnson. The term of appointment will begin July 19, 2026, and will extend for five years with the possibility for renewal. The position of editor carries no stipend, but financial support for travel and other related expenses is available. The position requires support from the editor’s home institution, which generally includes a course release and some level of administrative assistance, usually in the form of a graduate student who serves as an editorial assistant. In return for supporting the editor’s contributions, SHEAR recognizes the editor’s home institution as a sponsor of the journal.

 

In general, the editor is responsible for the intellectual content, quality, and timeliness of the journal issues as well as the overall success of the journal by encouraging submissions, reading incoming manuscripts, soliciting referees, evaluating referees’ reports, writing decision letters, working with authors to develop and improve submissions, and editing for content, accuracy, and clarity.  In addition, it has become apparent that the editor must proactively conceive and seek out unsolicited high-quality content for the journal, which can come in the form of invited forums, special issues (which might include a guest-co-editor), and working with scholars to maintain the journal’s recurring features “Critical Engagements” and “Engaging Historiography.”  The editor also oversees a staff of assistants who check footnote citations (thus the need for an editorial assistant) as far as possible for accuracy and integrity.

The constitutional duties of the editor are:

• Performing all responsibilities associated with the management of the Journal of the Early Republic, including relations with the Journal’s host institutions, authors, the Editorial Board, direct supervision of any editorial staff, and coordination with any publishers, vendors, or other parties contracted to produce and distribute the Journal.
• Recruiting and appointing, with the advice of the President and Advisory Council, members of the Editorial Board to assist with the development of content for the Journal
• Recruiting and appointing, with the advice of the President and Advisory Council, a Book Review Editor for the Journal.
• Appointing an annual prize committee for Best Article Prize.
• Representing the Journal in all deliberations of the Society as an ex-officio member of the Advisory Council and Executive Committee.
• Reporting to the President and the Advisory Council, and submitting an annual report to the Council.

 

Applications: We welcome all applications, including applications from duos seeking to serve as co-editors, from all members of SHEAR. Please send your application to shankman@rutgers.edu by November 3, 2025. The search committee consists of SHEAR President-Elect Andy Shankman and SHEAR Advisory Council Members Caitlin Fitz and Ellen Hartigan-O’Connor.  Applications should consist of a letter of interest and a CV.  In your letter, please discuss the reason for your interest and your ideas for the future success of the journal.  We welcome single letters as well as applications from duos proposing to serve as co-editors.  If applying as a duo, you need only send one letter with your two CVs.   The Search Committee will contact applicants under consideration for the position in early December.  We hope to make an appointment in January to give the new editor or editors a meaningful period to shadow current co-editors Johann Neem and Ronald Angelo Johnson. Questions: please feel free to contact Andy Shankman about the process or Andy, Johann Neem or Ron Johnson about the work involved in editing the journal.