SPARK Editorial Board Member

JOB DUTIES

Each Editorial Board member spends approximately 45 hours over the course of Fall and Spring semester during the academic year, reviewing submissions and providing feedback, attending Editorial Board meetings, contributing to the SPARK Editorial Board collective letter, grant writing, and participating in special outreach and/or conferences.

• Attend a 1.5
  -2- hour SPARK Fall planning meeting (date TBD).
• Attend monthly/bi-monthly (as needed) SPARK Editorial Board Meetings in the Fall and Spring semesters (dates TBD).
• Contribute to the SPARK 2026-27 call for submissions.
• Contribute to the assessment of SPARK Contributors and complete SPARK Editor assessment.
• Contribute to the co‑writing of the Editorial Board Letter.
• Attend midpoint check‑ins with Associate Director Transition and Retention, GSDO.
• Contribute to the development of SPARK through grant writing and feedback.
• Participate in the SPARK Editorial Board process, including but not limited to: reviewing Contributor submissions to SPARK; providing in‑depth written feedback on a minimum of 3 submissions and conducting a minimum of two 1-hour writing consultations for each Contributor as assigned; providing copy editing, proofing, and fact checking submissions as assigned.
• Communicate extenuating circumstances with Assistant Director, Transition & Retention, GSDO as they arise.
• Complete clerical tasks as directed, and necessary to accomplish the work of the SPARK Editorial Board.
• Participate in person/on Zoom for SPARK outreach in the Fall/Spring (dates TBD).

• Enrolled in a research‑based graduate program at the University of Minnesota.
• Demonstrated commitment, through research/service, to uplifting the experiences of underrepresented communities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural competencies in order to interact with a wide range of individuals from various backgrounds.
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.

• Experience as a past student Contributor or Editor for SPARK or other similar e‑zine.
• Enrolled in GRAD 8444 (Advanced Doctoral Status) for the duration of the appointment.
• Background in writing consultancy.
• Teaching experience providing written/verbal feedback to students.
• Experience in multimodal communication (i.e. podcasting, photo journaling, graphic comics, etc.).

• Pay Range: $ 28.93 ; depending on education/qualifications/experience
• Please visit the Office of Student Health Benefits website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
• Student workers are eligible to participate in the Student Health Benefit Plan, if they maintain 6 or more eligible course credits within a given semester. The same applies for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Assistants, Residents, Fellows and Interns.

The UMN Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) is currently seeking SPARK e‑zine Editorial Board members, from diverse disciplines, for the Volume 7, Spring 2027 issue. The SPARK e‑zine () was created in 2020 to generate conversations about the scholarship of COSP Scholars. Each of the research stories, shared in SPARK, stimulates new ways of making academic scholarship relevant to our academic communities and beyond.

Collectively, research stories in SPARK are animated by the multifaceted ways graduate scholars are transforming what scholarship looks like, how knowledge is produced, and for whom scholarship is directed. Led by the SPARK Editorial Board, SPARK is committed to developing graduate writers through a collaborative approach to publishing research. SPARK Editorial Board members play a significant role in shaping the visioning and direction of each SPARK issue.

Editorial Board members report to Associate Director, Transition & Retention, GSDO.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment…