Do we need to introduce Spokes, Ecsite’s online magazine?
Spokes is THE unmissable publication for science engagement professionals in Europe and beyond. Its ambition is to be an open forum for creative discussion, spreading new ideas, sharing best practice and providing carefully curated news.
A small group of people stand behind the magazine: the Spokes Editorial Committee. The Committee brings together experts from Ecsite member organisations generously contributing their time and energy, and members of the Ecsite communications team in charge of the magazine's daily operations. Join a friendly community of open-minded, inspiring peers: we're recruiting!
Feels like something you'd like to be part of? This call is open to staff of Full Ecsite members. Apply by 15 September.
Spokes Editorial Committee members serve for a mandate of three years, renewable once. Maria Xanthoudaki, Director of Education and of the Centre of Research in Informal Learning at the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia 'Leonardo da Vinci' (Milan, Italy) is the Committee's Chairperson. She was nominated by the Ecsite Board in June 2019.
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Particular areas of expertise needed
The Committee will be needing three new members. We have identified areas we need to strengthen in the Committee:
- Design & exhibition development;
- Digital media;
- Science & society, theory of public engagement with science (in general, academics working on science engagement);
- EU projects and funding.
We are also looking for skills:
- While writing articles is not an obligation for Committee members, it would be good if there was a strong writer among our new recruits;
- Spokes it self also needs help with marketing (in particular digital marketing) and community management.
Alongside specific experience and expertise, curiosity for a wide range of topics is an important quality for Editorial Committee members: the books you read, talks you attend, films you watch (etc.) will help nourish Spokes. Having a wide professional network beyond the science communication field is desirable, as Spokes is always on the lookout for potential authors. Good writing skills in English and journalistic or editorial experience are a plus.
Overall, the Committee needs balance of expertise, geographic origins, genders, types & sizes of organisations. Take a look at the composition of the Spokes Editorial Committee to see how your profile could fit.
What being on the Committee entails
Each month: shaping, commenting, checking
We hold a monthly conference call to discuss the specifics of upcoming issues, review article pitches etc. During the month, Committee members are invited to comment on received articles and check Spokes before it comes out. Time commitment varies, depending on each member's availability that month: min 1 hour (if you can only make the call), max 4 hours (if you have the time to follow each step).
Once or twice a year: being “on call” for an issue
The Ecsite Communications team does the "ground work" of putting Spokes together. As the “on call” Committee member, you will be working closely with that team and are in charge of having read everything before that particular issue of Spokes goes out.
Estimated time commitment per on-call issue: 1-1.5 working day
Once a year: attending a physical Committee meeting
We meet once in January at one of the Committee members’ organisations for a 1.5 day meeting. This is when we have strategic discussions and shape the editorial calendar for the year ahead, brainstorming topics, authors, trends etc. and each commit to follow up on specific article ideas. We work on the base of an open call for article ideas (from readers and potential authors) launched the previous autumn.
[Update on 7 August: we are considering a change in our yearly cycle. We are still running a call for ideas in autumn 2019 and physically meeting as a Committee in January 2020 as planned, but might then move the call for ideas to May-July and our yearly meeting to October. This would mean that 2020 would exceptionally see two calls for ideas and two physical Committee meetings, before going back to one in 2021].
We also try to meet again in June for an informal dinner just before the Ecsite Conference.
Depending on your time and skills: chasing authors, writing, relaying, keeping your eyes open…
Depending on your skills or interests, you can shape your involvement and contribution to the Committee. For instance we have Committee members who keep a look out for new exhibitions, write book reviews, identify and relay good reads etc. A regular task is chasing authors: once we’ve accepted a proposal, a Committee member acts as the liaison person with the author(s), helping them shape their piece, chasing them when deadlines are close – in short: making sure they deliver.
As a Committee member, you are well placed to volunteer to write articles or conduct interviews on topics of interest highlighted by the Committee (like all other publications of course they’ll be submitted to your peer Committee members’ critical eye). But you don’t have to.
Members cover their own travel and accommodation expenses and unfortunately being a member of the Spokes Editorial Committee does not grant you a free registration to the Ecsite Conference. The networking and learning are invaluable, however!
How to apply
Fill in this application form by 15 September.
If you're selected, we hope to have you on board for a first monthly conference call mid October. The first physical meeting you'll attend will then be taking place at the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia 'Leonardo da Vinci' (Milan, Italy) in January 2020 (dates to be confirmed in weeks of 13/01 or 20/01).
[Update on 7 August: we are considering a change in our yearly cycle. We are still running a call for ideas in autumn 2019 and physically meeting as a Committee in January 2020 as planned, but might then move the call for ideas to May-July and our yearly meeting to October. This would mean that 2020 would exceptionally see two calls for ideas and two physical Committee meetings, before going back to one in 2021].
Want to know more? Email Ecsite's Communications and Events Manager Julie Becker who will put you in touch with a current member.