The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals concerned with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seeks applicants for the position of Editor of its peer-reviewed journal, American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD).
About AJIDD
AJIDD is published bimonthly (6 issues annually) by AAIDD. First published in 1896, AJIDD is among the top-ranked, peer-reviewed journals in biological, behavioral, and educational sciences.
The term of Editor will be for 3.5 years to begin July 1, 2026, corresponding to Volumes 132─134 (publication years of 2027─2029). A second term may be served upon mutual agreement; however, Editors of AAIDD journals are limited to two consecutive terms.
AAIDD publishes three journals, each with a particular focus:
AJIDD publishes the highest-quality, original contributions to the literature on intellectual disability, its causes, treatment, and prevention.
IDD reports new teaching approaches, program developments, administrative tools, program evaluation, service utilization studies, community surveys, public policy issues, training and case studies, and current research in intellectual and related developmental disabilities.
Inclusion provides a multidisciplinary forum for the presentation and discussion of evidence-based interventions and strategies that promote the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in society.
In January 2026, all AAIDD journals will be online-only with Taylor & Francis managing their day-to-day operations and hosting current and archived journal issues on its platform.
Qualifications and Responsibilities
Membership in AAIDD is required. Applicants must be members and the Editor must remain a member in good standing throughout their term.
The key qualifications for the position of Editor are (a) an established record of scholarship, (b) strong peer-reviewed publications history in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, (c) managerial skills to oversee the editorial cycle and meet deadlines (including the skills to adhere to an established journal publication schedule) and (d) the ability to attract and retain respected experts to serve on an editorial advisory board and as consulting editors.
The major responsibilities of the Editor include:
- Overseeing the peer review of approximately 100 manuscripts per year;
- Soliciting high-quality manuscripts from potential authors, deciding which manuscripts to publish, and assisting authors to revise and improve their manuscripts in order to be accepted for publication;
- Identifying and appointing qualified members to an editorial advisory board;
- Selecting a sufficient pool of competent reviewers to provide thorough, timely, and equitable peer reviews of manuscripts;
- Ensuring that the journal has a sufficient volume of manuscript submissions of sufficient quality and length to ensure the timely publication of 6 issues per year, with 5-6 articles per issue while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and scholarship and ensuring its direction aligns with the mission and goals of the Association.
Applicants must have clear employer or institutional support for this activity for the duration of their appointment. AAIDD will not pay for office space or release time but offers basic financial support which may be used for a stipend or to supplement clerical assistance, office supplies, etc., beyond that provided by the Editor’s home institution.
Application
The application package must be submitted by email by January 9, 2026 to Margaret Nygren, EdD, Executive Director, at mnygren@aaidd.org and include:
- Letter of Application that describes your qualifications for the role of Editor (past experience as an editor or member of an editorial team, history of scholarship in the field, and demonstrated capacity to manage deadlines and to
attract and retain contributors).
- List of Proposed Strategies that describes the how you propose to: (a) develop the editorial advisory board, including the representation of key institutions, disciplines, geographic areas of the US and the world, etc. that you see as essential for achieving the journal’s aims; (b) solicit high-quality manuscripts from potential authors; and (c) develop new or enhance existing strategies to encourage appropriate manuscript submissions to the journal.
- Current CV or Resume that accurately portrays your experience, includes positions held, lists your publications, indicates your current affiliations, and provides your current contact information.
- A statement disclosing any potential Conflicts of Interest that includes a list of all journals for which you have served in any editorial capacity in the past three years (January 2023 to present).
A selection is expected to be made in February 2026; the appointment will begin July 1, 2026. Selectee must agree to abide by an ethics code of conduct.