Join the EECERA Journal’s College of Reviewers

The European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ) is the publication of the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA), an international organisation dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of research in Early Childhood Education throughout Europe and beyond. CREC is the UK base for the European Early Childhood Research Association.

EECERJ aims to provide a forum for the publication of original research in early childhood education (birth to eight years of age) in Europe. Its definition of education embraces care and its approach is multidisciplinary, embracing all related fields including psychology, sociology, child health and social work. Contributions from outside the European context are encouraged where there is a relevance to the EECERA’s stated aims.

The Editorial Board intends to publish papers which have a clear application to early childhood education and care policy and practice and this must be made explicit in the paper. It also seeks to provide a common forum for shared issues in early childhood education research, and, on occasion, to provide a forum for controversy in the discussion of such issues.

EECERJ invites eligible early career researchers, professionals and scholars to apply for the College of Reviewers. There are only 20-25 positions available for the upcoming (2025) year. The application deadline is 31-October-2024.

Eligibility

Qualification: Applicants will be required to hold a higher degree (for example, a master’s degree or PhD/equivalent or be working towards a PhD/equivalent) or be employed in a university lecturer position. In addition, applicants will need to have published at least two peer-reviewed articles within the past five years or demonstrate relevant experience in either the publishing (eg book, book chapter, professional resources or materials) or peer-review processes.

Expertise/specialisation: While EECERJ seeks reviewers with a broad knowledge of ECE related to our Aims & Scope, specialist knowledge is also desirable. We are seeking reviewers with subject knowledge for example, but not limited to well-being, outdoor learning, physical development, STEM/STEAM, social emotional development, cognition and quantitative analysis. Other areas of specialisation are welcome.

Language requirement: A strong command of the English language with verbal and written fluency is preferable.

Requirements

The following requirements must be annually met in order to receive recognition as a College of Reviewers member:

• Completion of four reviews per year.
• Reviews must be returned within 30 days.
• Reviewer feedback must reflect the developmental aspirations of the journal and be
  presented in a constructive manner with, if necessary, useful observations for revision.
• Reviewers must honour the confidentiality aspect of the review process and not share or
  disclose information from the manuscripts under review.
• Refusal to review, failure to review or two late reviews will result in removal from the College of Reviewers. Exceptions will be made provided the reviewer contacts the Coordinating Editor or journal administrator in the event that unforeseen circumstances arise preventing the reviewer from fulfilling their duties.
• College of Reviewer members serve for one year, with the opportunity to be appointed for an additional year. Reviewers may resign at any time before their term expires.

Incentives

Upon successful completion of the above requirements, College of Reviewer members will
receive:

• A certificate of College of Reviewer membership.
• Reviewers will receive 6 months free online access to EECERJ (including the full, historical
  archive) and 3 other early years journals (International Journal of Early Years Education,
  International Journal of Play, and Early Childhood Development and Care) via the Taylor and
  Francis website.
• Reviewers will be listed on website and in print publication as members of the College of
  Reviewers annually.
• If a College of Reviewers member maintains a consistent, high-quality level of reviewing, she or he may be considered for future appointment to the Editorial Board.