Internship Opportunity: Chase Wasafiri Editorial Placement
By Wasafiri Editor on February 13, 2023 in
An opportunity is available for a PhD student based at a CHASE-affiliated institution to join Wasafiri on an editorial placement. The internship will provide invaluable experience within an internationally-recognised academic and literary journal, in preparation for an academic, publishing, or arts career.
Affiliated institutions include: the Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and Sussex; the Open University; The Courtauld Institute of Art; Goldsmiths, University of London; Birkbeck, University of London and SOAS, University of London.
Application deadline: Midnight, 19 March 2023
Interviews: week commencing 3 April 2023
Start date: 1 May 2023 preferred
Hours: part-time (2.5 days per week) for one year (shorter placements will also be considered)
Location: In-person, and hybrid remote/in person options available. Offices are at Queen Mary University of London, Mile End campus.
The placement in brief
A chance to build your own network and gain experience behind the scenes at an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation with a 38-year history of radical publishing and curriculum change, this placement combines editorial support for our quarterly magazine and managing our intercontinental Editors at Large programme. There are also many opportunities for experience in areas of your own interest, which might include archival work with the British Library, events organisation, design, or more. Ideal for a motivated, curious candidate with excellent critical reading skills who likes variety and teamwork.
The magazine
Wasafiri is the UK’s leading magazine of international contemporary writing. Launched in 1984 to create a vibrant publication space for authors and critics from Africa, the Caribbean, South Asia, and their diasporas, Wasafiri has spread its reach over the last 38 years to encompass the works of writers worldwide, championing underrepresented writers from all backgrounds. Having pioneered a shift in the literary, cultural, and critical landscape, the magazine draws widely across modern culture and the arts, publishing a lively and informed mix of fiction, poetry, interviews, essays, articles, art, and reviews. You can access the magazine here.
The placement in detail
Wasafiri has been successfully working with CHASE placement students for the past five years. The placement is made up of two halves: assisting with the editorial production of our quarterly magazine, and managing the successful Editors at Large programme. Activities include:
- Managing our submissions portal, including reading, selecting, and editing submissions, allowing the student to discover and influence emerging scholarship and promote innovative work.
- Contributing to strategy for magazine and website content by attending editorial and Associate Editor meetings , as well as wider organisational strategy, including events and special projects.
- Managing relationships with contributors and peer reviewers, learning to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders, and growing a personal network of arts practitioners and researchers.
- Managing the Editors at Large scheme – our global team of editors across the Middle East, South East Asia and Aotearoa New Zealand – including developing ideas with the EaLs for Wasafiri projects, and recruiting EaLs from a new region during the placement.
- Supporting the reviews editor, communicating with publicists and reviewers as required.
As well as providing an introduction and foundation to working in the arts beyond academia, Wasafiri placements offer students the skills necessary for the completion of their own research, including time management, editing, and communication, as well as developing academic networks and gaining a better understanding of the journal publishing process.
Both CHASE-funded researchers, and non-funded PhD students at CHASE-affiliated institutions are able to apply. You can view the placement on CHASE’s website here.
Successful candidates will report to Wasafiri’s Deputy Editor. For more information, please email: sana.goyal@qmul.ac.uk.
Applications should consist of a cover letter of up to a page and a CV, and should be sent to the same address (sana.goyal@qmul.ac.uk) by Midnight BST, 19 March 2023 . Interviews will be conducted the week commencing 3 April.
