Platypus, the official blog of the Committee for the Anthropology of Science, Technology, and Computing and one of the leading anthropology blogs, invites applications for the position of Managing Editor (ME). We seek a motivated scholar who works at the intersection of anthropology and STS, broadly understood. We will also accept applications from two-person teams who wish to work together in this position.
Platypus promotes dialogue on theories, tools, and social interactions that explore questions at the intersection of anthropology and science and technology studies. Through the blog, we aim to build a thriving discourse among a community of scholars concerned about the implications of science, technologized products, and worldviews for human beings and other forms of life. Our approach is interdisciplinary and inclusive.
If you have prior experience with writing and curating blog posts, and/or are/have been a multimedia/multimodal ethnographer, artist, or practitioner who makes or curates films, photography, comics, music, audiovisual pieces, poetry, or other experimental forms of ethnographic content, we’d love to have you on board. We value commitment and professionalism, so note that any relevant experience in editorial work, public scholarship, and/or team coordination (including as a Platypus Contributing Editor or Multimodal Contributing Editor) is also strongly preferred.
Details about the ME role:
- Two-year renewable term, beginning January 1, 2027.
- Working with a great team of volunteers from around the world committed to accessibility and inclusivity.
- The incoming ME will work with the outgoing ME during this transition into the role.
- We are especially eager for applications from contributors whose research interests engage with STS in the Global South and those who work with marginalized communities.
- We also welcome applications from critical scholars who have engaged with issues of inequality, racism, ableism, classism, sexism, homo/transphobia, and other forms of systemic discrimination and marginalization as it intersects with questions of science and technology.
- Candidates from outside North America and international scholars are encouraged to apply.
- The position requires approximately 5 hours of work a week, but varies depending on the time of the year.
- Please note that as CASTAC is an entirely volunteer-run organization, we are unable to offer compensation for these positions.
Qualifications
- A professional and/or academic interest in STS and anthropology.
- Competence with digital media; familiarity with WordPress or similar platforms is helpful.
- Strong communication and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate a large team of volunteers across time zones.
- Capacity to work independently and meet deadlines.
- A commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in digital publishing.
Responsibilities – Managing Editor (ME)
- Oversee the blog’s editorial calendar and weekly publication schedule, supervising the editorial and production process.
- Recruit, train, and manage (virtually) the team of Contributing Editors and Multimodal Contributing Editors, including running the annual call for editors.
- Shape the blog’s direction, including new series, formats, and collaborations.
Serve as the blog’s main point of contact at editor@castac.org, responding to prospective authors and connecting them with editors whose interests align with theirs. - Ensure that posts follow internal publication protocols and maintain a high standard of accessibility across text, image, audio, and video content (e.g., alt text and audio files).
- Coordinate content promotion with CASTAC’s Public Relations Manager, sharing new and upcoming posts for social media and the listserv.
- Liaise with the CASTAC board and team, including participating in quarterly board meetings and presenting the blog’s work at CASTAC’s business meeting at the annual meeting of the American Anthropological Association.
- Occasionally author blog posts, including the annual post introducing the editorial team.
- Complete general and accessibility training modules, and keep internal publication protocols and training materials up to date.
Application
The following application materials should be sent to editor@castac.org by November 1, 2026:
- CV
- Two-page cover letter that outlines the applicant’s interests in relation to the blog’s mission and any related previous experience. Please also briefly describe your vision for the blog over the two-year term, including any projects or initiatives you hope to take on.
Applicants will be notified no later than November 15, 2026, and onboarding for the role will take place from November 16 – December 15.
For further information about the blog and the position, please visit our website or reach out to editor@castac.org.
Thanks,
Kim Fernandes
Managing Editor, Platypus
More about Platypus
The Platypus blog had over 62k visits last year with a readership from 175 different countries. The blog publishes 50-70 posts a year, including pieces available in additional languages such as Burmese, Bulgarian, German, Hindi, Khmer, Kiswahili, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Mandarin, and Urdu. This is made possible by an excellent cohort of Contributing Editors who remain committed to geographic and linguistic diversity. In the last couple years the blog has started its Multimedia Contributing Editors program to expand the scope of multimodal content. We’ve published several new formats including hypertext ethnographies, zines, comics, a board game, and photo/illustration essays.