Counselling and Psychotherapy Research (CPR) is BACP’s research journal, accessible to over 75,000 BACP members and, through the journal’s publisher, Wiley, to an increasing international readership. It's an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in theoretical and methodological orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. The journal aims to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.

CPR’s current Editor is standing down later this year. Additionally, submissions to the journal have grown rapidly in recent years meaning that we are now seeking to support CPR’s continued growth by investing in reconfiguring and expanding the editorial team that ensures its smooth running.

Further information about the journal can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17461405

Role description

The successful applicant will: 

  • work closely with the Editor in Chief and the Associate Editor (Manuscript handling) to ensure efficient, timely and high quality task completion and responsiveness to authors, reviewers, Editorial Board members and other stakeholders as appropriate. Liaising with the BACP Head of Research regularly to review journal performance, resource and developments
  • contact researchers and academic contacts as potential guest editors to solicit special sections and collections of themed article submissions; supporting the process of developing a call for papers for consideration by the Editorial Board; working closely with guest editors throughout the call for papers, review, decision and publication processes. Annual target number of special sections to be agreed with Editorial Board
  • solicit article submissions to the journal from authors on relevant topics, supporting the development of article ideas and working through the submission process
  • compile collections of themed articles for special virtual issues to accompany BACP events, including the Annual International Research Conference; working with Wiley and contacts from other journals to compile joint special virtual issues as appropriate
  • work with the Wiley Editorial Office on the day-to-day operation of the journal in an efficient manner in accordance with the author guidelines and the production schedule; supporting the Editor in Chief in identifying potential reviewers and providing additional reviews and feedback on manuscripts, as needed
  • support the Editor in Chief by maintaining high standards in the peer-review process and ensuring that the journal adheres to best practice guidance with respect to research integrity and publishing ethics in accordance with COPE (Committee on Publishing Ethics) guidelines
  • act as an ambassador for the journal, enhancing its position in the field, including it's relation to competing journals and promoting the journal wherever possible through professional contacts and at conferences
  • work with the Editor-in-Chief, identifying noteworthy or topical articles prior to publication and liaising with BACP research team and Wiley to support marketing and promotion of journal content
  • work with the BACP research team and editorial board, keeping abreast of developments within research and within counselling and psychotherapy more broadly, ensuring that the journal remains relevant to researchers and readers, driving discussion and debate as well as influencing policy
  • contribute to the preparation of editorial reports and other relevant papers, and participate in editorial board meetings (currently quarterly); attending quarterly operational and progress meetings with the BACP research team staff and publisher on an as needed basis. All meetings are held virtually
  • provide support to the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor (Manuscript handling) in relation to manuscript handling as required and in response to fluctuations in journal workflow

Selection criteria

The successful applicant will have:

  • a PhD in counselling or psychotherapy or a closely related area; active in the field with a good record of publications
  • excellent knowledge and experience of research within this field and an in-depth understanding of both the UK and international contexts of counselling and psychotherapy; knowledge of leading and upcoming researchers in the field
  • excellent time management, with the ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines within tight time constraints; highly organised and motivated; able to work flexibly, undertaking contracted hours over a minimum of three but ideally four or more days
  • demonstrable commitment to addressing equity, diversity and inclusion, and to working actively with this in relation to the journal’s strategy and operation
  • a flexible and collaborative working style, able to work as part of an editorial team as well as in partnership with the publishing team, BACP colleagues and the Editorial Board
  • experience of reviewing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals is an advantage, alternatively, experience of reviewing and assessing the quality and rigour of research dissertations and theses in academic contexts is essential
  • high professional and ethical standards and a commitment to ensuring the journal maintains scholarly rigor and high standards of research and publication integrity
  • excellent written and spoken communication and excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrating the ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with authors, guest editors, reviewers and other stakeholders; a confident networker, able to contact potential authors and guest editors

Time commitment

Eight hours per week, worked flexibly.

Remuneration

This is a self-employed contract role. The rate of pay is £170 per week. If you require any other information about the role before applying please contact Head of Research Clare Symons at clare.symons@bacp.co.uk