The search for ACS Publications’ first-ever ombudsperson is underway with the publication of a call for proposals for the role. This call comes on the heels of a June 2020 special joint editorial outlining five steps our organization would take to address systemic racism in our publishing processes: Gathering and making public our baseline statistics […]
The search for ACS Publications’ first-ever ombudsperson is underway with the publication of a call for proposals for the role. This call comes on the heels of a June 2020 special joint editorial outlining five steps our organization would take to address systemic racism in our publishing processes:
- Gathering and making public our baseline statistics on diversity within our journals, encompassing our Editors, advisors, reviewers, and authors; annually reporting on progress.
- Training new and existing Editors to recognize and interrupt bias in peer review
- Including the diversity of journal contributors as an explicit measurement of Editor-in-Chief performance
- Appointing an ombudsperson to serve as a liaison between Editors and our Community
- Developing an actionable diversity plan for each ACS journal
These steps are highly interdependent, and ACS Publications has made steady progress over the last year, working on these goals in tandem.
One of the most challenging steps was the move to create a new ombudsperson role at ACS Publications, a position unlike any the organization has had before. This role will act as an independent liaison between ACS Publications and the chemistry community to address concerns about Editors, Editorial Advisory Board members, or reviewers regarding editorial processes. The ombudsperson will help ACS Publications achieve our goal of providing peer review services that are as inclusive as possible to the chemistry community, regardless of gender, sexual orientation/identity, race/ethnicity, religion, employment status, or status in the field.
The request for proposals was developed after extensive work with the International Ombudsman Association to learn more about the function of an ombudsperson role and how best to implement and support such a position. ACS Publications is currently accepting applications and hopes to have someone in the role this fall.
Candidates should have the following qualifications:
- Minimum of at least 3 years of experience as an organizational Ombuds or graduate education in conflict resolution, law, or a related field; and ombuds training (completion of International Ombudsman Association Foundations or equivalent).
- Must be familiar with the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Being a member of the International Ombudsman Association is not necessary but preferred.
A scientific background is desirable but not required.
Application Process:
Applicants for this position should apply on or before 5 P.M. EDT on August 13, 2021.
Proposals should include the following: A CV and 2 letters of reference from experienced organizational ombuds practitioners, and a review of ACS Publications policies, and compensation expectations.
Applications should be sent to: Ombuds_Applications@acs.org
Read 2021 Editorials on Racial Issues in Chemistry from ACS Publications Journals:
Queer, PoC, Creative, STEM
Anal. Chem. 2021, 93, 21, 7541–7542
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01826
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Introducing Analytical Chemistry’s Diversity and Inclusion Cover Art Series
Anal. Chem. 2021, 93, 3, 1211–1212
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c05466
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Shaping the Future of Higher Education: Practical, Community-Driven Initiatives to Improve Academic Climate
ACS Cent. Sci. 2021, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX
DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00491
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A Reflection on Juneteenth and the Diversity of Our Chemical Neuroscience Community
ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2021, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00378
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Black Scientists Are Not the Door to Diversity
ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2021, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00375