Hello from the other side: Reflections on a decade at the editor’s desk

Reports on David Collings' look behind the scenes of an editor's job in the Middlesex MLO seminar series

On 28 April 2021, the Management, Leadership and Organisations Department at Middlesex University Business School hosted a thought-provoking seminar by David Collings, Professor of HRM and Associate Dean for Research at Dublin City University Business School.

David presented a highly engaging story of his editorial experiences, followed by a lively Q&A with the audience, some 35 academics from Middlesex University and the CYGNA network. His slides can be downloaded here and the full presentation (minus the Q&A) can be watched above and on my YouTube channel.

Presentation synopsis

Usually when an academic editor speaks at seminar series the focus is on publishing in their journal or publishing more broadly. In this seminar I have been asked to reflect on my experience as an Editor. Having been Editor-in-Chief at three journals, as well as multiple special issues and books I reflect on my journey including my motivations and personal lessons along the way.

I hope the session will help to demystify the role of the editor in the peer review process and how authors can engage with editors in a constructive way. I will provide some insights into the benefits of taking on editorial roles as an element of academic service.  I also set out some principles that I believe should guide individuals in deciding to take on an editorial role and provide some guardrails for editorial roles.

David's Bio

David Collings is Professor of HRM and Associate Dean for Research at Dublin City University Business School. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Sheffield and National University of Ireland, Galway and visiting positions at King’s College London, Nanyang Business School in Singapore and Cornell University as a Fulbright Scholar. He is an elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He is a leading international expert on talent management, global mobility and the future of work. He has been named as one of the most influential thinkers in the field of HR years by HR Magazine on four occasions.

He has published in leading international outlets including Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Management and Journal of Management Studies and eleven books.  His work is regularly cited in media and other outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the BBC. He is former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of World Business, Human Resource Management Journal and the Irish Journal of Management and sits on the editorial boards of multiple journals including Academy of Management Review, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management and Journal of Management Studies. He is the Chair-Elect of the HR Division of the Academy of Management.

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