The American Anthropologist (AA) seeks applications for the position of book review editor. The AA, the longtime flagship publication of the American Anthropological Association, is one of the most influential and prestigious journals in the discipline. The AA publishes approximately 100 book reviews annually in all subfields of anthropology. The book review editor is responsible for choosing books to be reviewed and selecting reviewers. The editor is responsible for overseeing the contents of reviews, but is not involved in copyediting. Although there is some flexibility in when the position would begin, preferred starting dates are July 1, 2012 or January 1, 2013.

The host institution of the book review editor must provide an office with space for books sent by publishers. Some financial support for the office may be available from the American Anthropological Association, but at this time it is not known how much, if any, will be available. The current book review editor has the help of two graduate assistants working four hours a week year-round; the approximate cost for this is $8,000. An automated system has been developed to aid in the work flow associated with sending requests to potential reviewers and receiving reviews.

Applicants should send a cover letter and a curriculum vitae to Michael Chibnik, the incoming editor-in-chief of the AA, by March 15, 2012. The cover letter should outline the applicant’s qualifications, indicate a probable starting date, describe what kinds of support the host institution can provide, and state what kinds of additional support  with an estimated budget would be needed from the American Anthropological Association.  Cover letters, curriculum vitae, can be sent by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or hard copy (Michael Chibnik, Department of Anthropology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242). Question about details of the position can be sent to the same addresses.

Michael Chibnik
Department of Anthropology
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
Editor, Anthropology of Work Review (until July 1, 2012)
Incoming Editor, American Anthropologist (beginning July 1, 2012)
Phone: 319-335-0530