We are seeking applications for a position on COPE Council. We have six vacancies. In line with COPE’s strategic goals and our obligations to meet the needs of all our members, we have highlighted gaps on Council which we are keen to fill.
*On this occasion, we are not seeking to elect candidates from North America. In addition, we will not consider applications from candidates whose discipline is primarily medicine, science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
We are specifically seeking:
(1) candidates with a background in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, including, but not limited to, anthropology, business administration/management, communication studies, economics, education, history, human geography, jurisprudence, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, public health and sociology. Candidates from the UK are especially welcome to apply.*
(2) candidates from China. We will consider all applications from China, regardless of discipline.
In accordance with COPE’s constitution, the candidate, or the organisation they represent, must have been an ordinary member of COPE for at least 1 year.
COPE Council is an active, working council. Council meets three times a year; two of the meetings are held by webinar, with the other being a 2–3 day residential meeting incorporating subcommittee meetings and a strategy day. Every other year there is an additional, in person, residential meeting. It is expected that all COPE Council members will attend all of these meetings. Annual seminars and workshops are held in a number of locations worldwide and it is hoped that Council Members will participate in at least one of these.
COPE is governed by the Trustee Board, who are ultimately responsible for the financial, legal and business operations of COPE as a charitable business and gives authority to Council and the Executive Officer and team to manage the day to day affairs of the organisation. Council comprises six subcommittees, and Council Members will be expected to join at least one subcommittee of interest and actively help to achieve the subcommittees’ objectives. Other general Council tasks, such as the Forum and responding to member queries, are undertaken electronically. It is anticipated that the work of Council Members amounts to about 2–3 hours per week dependant on the activity at that time. This is in addition to attendance at meetings.
Council Members will be appointed by COPE Council for 3 years, with the possibility to stand for election for an additional 3 years. These are voluntary unpaid positions. It is expected that your employer will cover any expenses as part of your professional development; if this is not feasible, please contact the COPE Administrator for guidance.
Candidates for Council membership will be short-listed by the Nominations subcommittee. Short-listed candidates may be interviewed by telephone, or may be asked to complete a written interview. If the number of short-listed candidates exceeds the number of vacancies, elections will take place. Council Members shall be elected by the Full and Associate General Members with voting rights or (if the candidates are unopposed) by approval of the Trustee Board.
Further details, including a job description, can be found below.
Those who are interested should contact the COPE Administrator for more details on what is expected from Council Members, including details of how to apply for a position on COPE Council.
The closing date for applications is: 3 AUGUST 2018
COPE Council Member: role description
Purpose of role
- To be responsible, together with other Council Members, for the activities of the Committee on Publication Ethics.
Key responsibilities
- Attend and take a full part in meetings of Council by webinar, and attend and take full part in the annual residential meeting
- Attend and contribute to quarterly Forum meetings by webinar
- Take part in additional policy and advisory discussions (usually electronically).
- Take part in subcommittees and other tasks, as agreed by Council.
- Represent COPE externally when required to do so by Council.
Person specification
- Experience of scholarly publishing (in particular, gained as the editor or publisher of a peer-reviewed publication).
- Understanding of ethical issues in scholarly publishing (eg, having published on or with experience of such matters).
- Experience of committee work or involvement with charitable organisations.
- Other expertise that will benefit COPE, such as writing, editing, publishing, training, law, accountancy, charity administration, public relations, human resources, fundraising, etc is welcomed
- Sufficient time to commit to COPE activities, including attending meetings and contributing to the work of Council as required (usually 1-3 hours per week depending on activity at the time).