Role Overview

Exchanges' Editor-in-Chief (EIC) has overall operational and strategic command of the journal, in terms of all processes, personnel and performance. They are the leading brand ambassador, key liaison and advocate for the journal locally, nationally and internationally. Moreover, in delivering on the journal’s mission they are required to routinely demonstrate expertise within the praxis and ethics of scholarly communications and publication.

Functionally, the EIC plays a key role in reviewing all new journal submissions including originality checks, before deciding on their progression and assignment to editorial team members. He appoints, trains and supports the Editorial Board and associate editors, delivering authoritative decisions as necessary. Alongside monitoring the progress of each manuscript, the EIC also conducts all final format checking, performing pre-publication preparations and post-publication publicity for each new issue. Additionally, they project manage each special issue working closely with the external leads, and furthermore are since 2020 also the host of the Exchanges Discourse podcast.

With strong expertise in areas like academic writing, communication and publication, the EIC is often involved in training, courses and events seeking to develop these core research competencies for others. This includes work at Warwick, across her partnership networks as well as at external conferences, workshops, seminars and symposia.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy, Promotion & Marketing

Collation, Copyediting & Proof-Reading

Editorial Author & Call for Paper Lead

Educator, Promoter & Advocate

Globally Distributed Team Manager

Open Publication Expert

Manuscript Progression Monitoring

Podcast Host & Producer

Policy Holder, Reviewer & Development

Procedure & Process Documentation

Reputational & Relationship Management

Rights Management & Copyright Advisor

Standards & Ethics Lead

Submission Review, Acceptance & Decline

Technical Advisor & Developer Liaison

Trouble-Shooter & Platform Oversight

Dr Gareth (Gaz) J Johnson

The current incumbent has been the longest serving and most prolific lead editor of Exchanges, since the journal’s inception. Dr Johnson was first appointed to the role in early 2018, having previously completed a doctorate in Culture, Media and Social TheoryLink opens in a new window at Nottingham Trent University, with a focus on the academic adoption of open publication practices. A true interdisciplinarian, he also holds higher qualifications in biomedical technology (Sheffield Hallam), information management (Sheffield) and research practice (NTU). He retains professional and research interests concerning power-relationships within and the evolution of scholarly academic publication praxis, viewed from within social theory and political economic frameworks

His career prior to his doctoral studies includes extensive experience in academic libraries, project management and applied research roles. He is also a past chair of the UK Council of Research Repositories (UKCoRRLink opens in a new window), the Forum for Interlending (FILLink opens in a new window) and the Symplectic Elements Libraries User Group.

He has publishedLink opens in a new window in excess of 200 articles, conference papers and book reviews, and a number of book chapters. He remains an outspoken proponent for greater academic agency through scholar-led publishing, and expert in distributed team management, network relationship management and effective communication praxis.

In his spare time Dr Johnson is a talented amateur voice artist and performer, prolific gamer, gifted house renovator and wildly enthusiastic hiker. He is also a Director of a property management company.

He can be contacted at: