Call for Service: Journal of Music Therapy Associate Editors
June 14, 2026 01:32 PM
Join the Journal of Music Therapy Editorial Team: Call for Associate Editors
The Journal of Music Therapy (JMT) is seeking applications and nominations for two types of Associate Editor positions.
Associate Editor of Manuscripts will assist and help manage the peer review process for research manuscripts submitted to the JMT. These individuals will join the current Associate Editor team with Drs. Felicity Baker, Stine Jacobson, and Amy Smith.
Associate Editor of Book Reviews will be responsible for managing the solicitation, review, and acceptance process for book reviews submitted to and published in the JMT.
Current professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association is provided gratis as a benefit of service to the journal and the mission of AMTA.
Full Job Descriptions and the application process are below and may be downloaded here.
Position Descriptions
Associate Editor of Manuscripts
The Associate Editor of Manuscripts is a volunteer position responsible for assisting with and managing the peer review process for research manuscripts submitted to the JMT. The Associate Editor (AE) selects and assigns reviewers, manages the review process, makes a recommendation based on review outcomes, and supports authors. A central requirement is the ability to edit and work with authors on manuscripts, including research from diverse research perspectives.
AEs work to uphold methodological integrity and to help clarify and improve submissions. Associate Editors will meet periodically with the Co-Editors and other AEs (via video conference call) and are encouraged to attend the JMT Editorial Board meeting held via videoconferencing approximately two times a year.
The Associate Editor of Manuscripts assists the Co-Editors with:
- Identifying and inviting peer reviewers
- Tracking manuscript review timelines and progress
- Helping to provide review feedback
- Communicating with editorial board members, external reviewers, and authors
- Participating in meetings of the editorial teams and editorial board
- Committing to learning about and incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic publishing
Required qualifications include:
- An active publication record
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent and respectful written and oral communication skills
- Experience with peer review processes as an author and/or reviewer
- Demonstrated ability to work on a team
- Desire and ability to dedicate an average of 2-3 hours each week to Associate Editor responsibilities
- Desire to serve as an ambassador for AMTA and the music therapy profession
Preferred qualifications include:
- Completion of a doctorate
- Prior service on the JMT Editorial Board or experience in an editorial role (e.g., journal editor, book editor, thesis/doctoral supervision)
Associate Editor of Book Reviews
The Associate Editor of Book Reviews is a volunteer position responsible for managing the solicitation, review, and acceptance process for book reviews submitted to the Journal of Music Therapy (JMT). Working closely with the Co-Editors, the Associate Editor of Book Reviews will serve a central role in preparing, processing, and reviewing book review manuscripts. This may include writing book reviews and/or overseeing submitted book review manuscripts prepared by others. Associate Editors will meet periodically with the Co-Editors and other AEs (via video conference call) and are encouraged to attend the JMT Editorial Board meeting held via videoconferencing approximately two times a year.
The Associate Editor of Book Reviews is responsible for the following:
- Identifying books for potential review in JMT and obtaining and/or receiving review copies from publishers, AMTA National Office, and/or Co-Editors
- Identifying potential book review authors, soliciting submissions for book reviews, and providing guidance and feedback to book review authors for revisions, if appropriate
- Conveying the editorial decision, made in consultation with the Co-Editors
- Processing book review manuscripts through ScholarOne and preparing them for online production
- Revising book review guidelines as needed, in collaboration with the Co-Editors
- Participating in meetings of the editorial teams and editorial board
Preferred qualifications include:
- Desire and ability to dedicate effort in support of publishing regular book reviews in the JMT
- Experience as a book review author
- Experience with the journal review process (i.e., as a reviewer and/or author)
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team
- Prior service on an Editorial Board (preferred, but not required)
- Desire to serve as an ambassador for AMTA and the music therapy profession
Term of Service
The term of service coincides with that of the lead Co-Editors, currently through 2030, with the option to renew the appointment. These positions will begin in Fall 2026 with an orientation and gradual assumption of duties.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the JMT
In cooperation with AMTA’s publishing partner at Oxford University Press, the journals are part of the Joint Commitment for Action on Inclusion and Diversity in Publishing. AMTA is committed to improving, demonstrating, and prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the work and decisions of the association, including its journals. Associate Editors, with the lead editors and editorial board members, should be willing to explore and engage in ongoing work to increase understanding, awareness, and actions around diversity, equity, inclusion, access and anti-racism in scholarly publishing.
Submission Process
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Co-Editor Dr. Kimberly Sena Moore (ksenamoore@fgcu.edu) for more detailed information regarding these positions.
Electronic letters of interest and a CV should be submitted to:
Kimberly Sena Moore, JMT Co-Editor:ksenamoore@fgcu.edu
Letters of interest and CVs are invited immediately. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by August 1. Positions will remain open until filled.
About the Journal of Music Therapy
The Journal of Music Therapy (JMT) is a forum for authoritative articles of current music therapy research and theory, including book reviews and guest editorials. Its mission is as follows:
The Journal of Music Therapy seeks to advance research, theory, and practice in music therapy through the dissemination of scholarly work. Its mission is to promote scholarly activity in music therapy and to foster the development and understanding of music therapy and music-based interventions. To this end, the journal publishes all types of research, including quantitative, qualitative, historical, philosophical, theoretical, and musical, and may include discipline, profession, and foundational research topics. The journal strives to present a variety of research approaches and topics, to promote critical inquiry, and to serve as a resource and forum for researchers, educators, and clinicians in music therapy and related professions.
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