Platypus, the official blog of (CASTAC) the Committee for the Anthropology of Science, Technology, and Computing, is seeking a new Editor. This is a two-year position, beginning in January 2023 and ending in December 2024, though the successful candidate is expected to participate in the transition and in hiring new staff during November and December. This and all CASTAC positions are unpaid.
Originally launched in 2012, Platypus promotes dialogue on theories, tools, and social interactions that explore questions at the intersection of anthropology and science and technology studies, broadly understood. Current blog content draws from the fields of technology studies, medical anthropology, digital/media studies, environmental anthropology, applied anthropology, and disability studies, among many related themes.
Platypus’s readership grows and diversifies each year as we have systematically cultivated multimedia and multimodal content, multilingual content, and a diverse group of Contributing Editors and guest authors. As a result of these efforts, our readership now averages around 5700 pageviews per month from across the globe. In recent years, the blog has taken an active interest in fighting against the lack of diversity in STS, often understood to be the domain of white, US-based scholars. As such, we seek a wide and diverse variety of applications for this position, from anthropologists and scholars at all levels.
Position Responsibilities Include:
- Overseeing exciting new and appropriate content and determining the strategic direction of the Blog
- Ensuring the publication of a weekly blog post every Tuesday
- Hiring, training, and managing (virtually) a team of 10-12 Contributing Editors and at least two-three Multimodal Contributing Editor (with assistance from the outgoing Editor during the transition)
- Contributing occasional self-authored posts
- Liaising with other CASTAC staff (co-chairs, web producer, and PR manager), including participating in quarterly meetings with the CASTAC board and presenting at the CASTAC business meeting at the Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association.
Interested applicants should send the following to editor@castac.org by October 15th:
- Cover letter (max 2 pages) highlighting (1) Research interests, (2) Relevant experience (blogging, public scholarship, editorial work, etc.), (3) Your vision for the next two years of the blog, (4) Any concrete projects, initiatives, or ideas you hope to implement at the blog.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
We invite applications from diverse candidates, from both within and outside academia, and from anywhere in the world. Please forward widely across your networks. Any questions about the position or the application process can be directed to editor@castac.org.