Book Review Editor: Psychology Teaching Review (PTR)

Psychology Teaching Review (PTR) is a BPS journal that was established to encourage research on teaching and learning in psychology; to serve as a vehicle for the sharing of good practice and, to improve the teaching of psychology at all levels. 

PTR publishes two issues each year and three reviews are sought for every issue. Unless the issue focuses on a special topic and the PTR Editor indicates otherwise, the books simply need to be varied and relevant to the study/teaching of Psychology. 

Outline of Role of PTR Book Review Editor

• Timelines are guided by copy and publication dates sent out by the BPS Editorial Assistant. 
• Currently, three reviews are sought for every issue.
• The reviewer list should be contacted around 6-8 weeks before the copy deadline.
• All reviewers are Bcc'd into an introductory email (see template). This email invites them to look through the available books, which are usually attached as the pdf or online catalogue sent from the publishers. Reviewers are invited to indicate which three books they would like to review (in priority order) and to provide a postal address and contact phone number. The reviewers keep the book they review, and responses are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Typically, the slots are filled within around 20 minutes. The three reviewers are contacted by return, with a confirmation of which book they will be reviewing and the whole list emailed again to state that the positions have been filled. 
• Attached to the introductory email is an example of a good review as well as some guidelines on how to write a review.
• The list of available books is compiled from content from emails sent to the Book Review Editor from academic publishers. Existing relationships with academic publishers means that significant numbers of books might be available, and some discretion is used to reduce this down to a reasonable number before sending out to potential reviewers for selection.
• The reviewer name, address and selected book are then passed on to the relevant academic publisher, with a request to confirm when the book has been sent out. The reviewer is also asked to confirm when they have received the book.
• Copy is required from the reviewer at least a week before the copy deadline, to allow for proofreading and any changes to be made (in reality, few changes are ever needed). If changes other than correction of typos etc are made, the review is sent back to the reviewer for confirmation that they are happy for it to be submitted in its revised form. They are usually given around 24-48 hours to confirm and the review is submitted in its amended format if no email is received. The copy is then sent to the Editorial Assistant for laying out etc.
• Around a week later, the Editorial Assistant sends a pdf of the pre-print issue back for checking by the reviewers. The Book Review Editor send this on to the individual reviewers with instructions that any MINOR amendments must be sent directly to the Editorial Assistant. This is not an opportunity to rewrite/change copy; spell check and affiliation confirmation only.
• Following physical publication, a pdf of the issue is sent to the academic publishers whose books have been included.
• Unless the issue focuses on a special topic and the PTR Editor indicates otherwise, the books simply need to be varied and relevant to the study/teaching of Psychology.

How to apply

If you are interested in taking this post, please send us your personal statement (200 words) indicating why you are interested and would be suitable for the role to [email protected] by 28 July 2023.