Becoming — and then being — an academic editor is not an easy task. It can be isolating to work alone through a pile of journal articles or a seemingly endless dissertation. If you are interested in advancing your skills, advocating for the profession, supporting emerging editors or connecting with like-minded people, then we invite you to consider volunteering.
Volunteering for the Academic Editing Chapter
In 2022, Editors Canada and the Editorial Freelancers Association launched a new network for academic editors. The Academic Editing (AE) special interest group — also known as the AE Chapter — strives to help academic editors build their professional networks, share information and discuss pertinent topics. To achieve these goals, we host social events such as coffee chats and book club meetings, as well as professional development events, panel conversations and advocacy initiatives. As of last count, we have over 700 members!
To support our ongoing work, we’re looking for volunteers to join one or more of our committees: admin and communications, advocacy, book club, education and training, programming and events, and volunteer management. We also have an ongoing diversity, equity and belonging initiative that is welcoming new volunteers.
Reflections from AE Chapter leaders
For Tess Rankin, volunteering is a great way to expand her network: “Volunteering with the Academic Editing Chapter makes freelance editing a bit less solitary by connecting me to other editors and to a professional community. It’s also made me aware of issues and perspectives I would not encounter without this community.”
An expanded network and the opportunity to develop new skills were also mentioned by Jennie Seitz: “I have met many wonderful people through volunteering with the Academic Editing Chapter. My network has increased tenfold, and it’s great to feel part of a team after working alone for many years. I’ve also learned about things I otherwise wouldn’t have come across in my editing work, such as planning and running online events and using new technology and software. My confidence has grown, and my belief in my abilities and value has also improved. I thoroughly enjoy and highly recommend it.”
Rees Storm likewise highlighted the professional development benefits of volunteering, noting that “having access to new awareness, knowledge and practices [and to] the exchange of ideas from motivated, highly skilled and passionate colleagues” were as beneficial as the “emerging friendships and networking” that she acquired.
For Emily Lam, the sense of belonging really stood out: “I’ve enjoyed the professional development events and have built relationships with a wonderful group of academic editors whom I now consider my colleagues. And of course, one of the benefits of having a network of trusted ‘edibuddies’ is that opportunities have come my way that I otherwise would not have found!”
Book club co-chair and programming and events chair Bailey Harrington has been involved with the Academic Editing Chapter since before its official launch: “I was transitioning from my academic career to freelance editing full time and I thought it would be a good way to meet other academic editors and network. It has turned out to be so much more than that! I’ve had the opportunity to build this community from the ground up and create spaces for academic editors to meet and exchange ideas.”
Learn more
In 2023, members of the chapter were able to meet in person at Editors Canada’s and the EFA’s annual conferences. More networking events like these are expected at future conferences, as well as online through our coffee chats and coworking sessions. Webinars and courses in academic editing are on the horizon as well.
The AE Chapter is run solely by volunteers, and the leadership is always looking for new volunteers to support the chapter’s work. You don’t need to be an experienced academic editor to be involved.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about the chapter, please email academic.editing@editors.ca. You can also sign up for our monthly mailing list to learn about new events as they are announced.
[Editor’s note: To avoid confusion, this post was edited in December 2024 to remove invitations to a volunteer information session that was held earlier in the year.]
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Aline Dias Camargo
Aline Dias Camargo is a journalism graduate student at the University of British Columbia. Her research explores the impact of the social media news ban on the communities affected by the wildfires in Western Canada in 2023. Aline channels her creativity into writing and volunteer work, driven by her passion for promoting the sense of community and belonging while raising awareness on environmental matters.