Call for Expressions of Interest: Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis

The Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis (SBCA) seeks an editor — or editorial team — for its flagship publication, the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis (JBCA). Expressions of interest are due July 15, 2026, and must be submitted via the online form here. The form will prompt you to indicate your role interest (Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, or either).

About the Journal

The Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis (JBCA) is the flagship publication of the Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis and the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated exclusively to benefit-cost analysis. Published by Cambridge University Press, JBCA serves as the leading outlet for scholarly research advancing the theory and application of benefit-cost analysis, as well as a practical resource for practitioners and teachers in the field.

The Society seeks an editor — or editorial team — who will continue to raise the profile of the journal, broaden submissions from academics and practitioners, and maintain the highest standards for rigor and relevance.

Interested applicants may request the most recent Cambridge University Press report on journal performance, including current and prior impact scores and other publishing data, by contacting [email protected]. 

The Ideal Editor-in-Chief

The ideal candidate for JBCA Editor-in-Chief is an established scholar in benefit-cost analysis or a closely related field — including environmental, health, regulatory, or public policy economics — with a demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication and a genuine commitment to advancing the discipline.

Specifically, SBCA is looking for someone who brings:

  • Scholarly standing. A record of publication and engagement in BCA or a closely related quantitative policy field sufficient to command the respect of JBCA's authors, reviewers, and readership.
  • Editorial experience. Prior experience as a journal editor, associate editor, or in a comparable peer-review leadership role. Familiarity with ScholarOne or a similar manuscript management system is a plus.
  • Breadth and judgment. The ability to evaluate submissions across JBCA's range — theoretical, methodological, and applied — and to make fair, timely, and well-reasoned editorial decisions at the desk review stage.
  • Commitment to rigor and relevance. An editorial philosophy that values both methodological quality and practical significance, consistent with JBCA's mission to serve researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
  • Capacity. The time and institutional support to fulfill the role's responsibilities, including desk review of incoming submissions, oversight of the Associate Editor team, quarterly reporting to the SBCA Board, and active engagement with the Society.
  • Collaborative orientation. Willingness to work constructively with SBCA's Managing Editor, Associate Editors, Board, and Cambridge University Press to sustain and improve journal operations.
SBCA does not expect any single individual to be the ideal candidate on every dimension. Proposals that combine a strong EiC candidate with a well-matched Associate Editor team will be considered on the strength of the team as a whole.

Associate Editor Opportunities

SBCA is actively recruiting Associate Editors as part of this search. We welcome expressions of interest from scholars who want to contribute to the journal's peer review process, whether as part of a proposed editorial team or as individual candidates.

Associate Editors play a central role in maintaining JBCA's standards of rigor and relevance. Each AE is responsible for managing peer review on assigned manuscripts: identifying and inviting qualified reviewers, monitoring the review process, and providing a substantive recommendation to the Editor-in-Chief. AEs are expected to bring subject matter expertise in one or more areas relevant to benefit-cost analysis and to exercise sound editorial judgment in evaluating the work of reviewers and authors.

SBCA is particularly interested in AE candidates who bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Regulatory economics and regulatory impact analysis
  • Environmental and natural resource economics
  • Health economics and health policy
  • Transportation economics
  • BCA methodology and theory
  • Distributional analysis and equity
  • Risk analysis and uncertainty
  • International and development policy
  • Labor economics and social policy

AE candidates may apply independently or as part of a proposed editorial team. There is no expectation that AE applicants propose or affiliate with a specific EiC candidate.

Editorial Structure

JBCA operates with three primary editorial roles. The guiding principle is that editorial evaluation is conducted by the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors, while operational workflow management is handled by the Managing Editor.

  • Editor-in-Chief. The EiC provides scholarly leadership for the journal; conducts desk review of incoming manuscripts; makes editorial decisions on manuscripts; and assigns papers to Associate Editors. The EiC also maintains the relationship with Cambridge University Press, serves as an ex officio member of the SBCA Board of Directors, and communicates actively with the Board, Editorial Board, and SBCA membership.
  • Associate Editors. AEs manage peer review for assigned manuscripts, select and invite reviewers, monitor the review process, and provide recommendations to the EiC. SBCA is actively recruiting for additional Associate Editor positions as part of this search.
  • Managing Editor. The ME handles administrative screening of incoming submissions, monitors editorial timelines, and manages the production handoff to Cambridge. The ME does not make editorial judgments. SBCA will conduct a search for a permanent ME in coordination with the incoming EiC.

Editorial Platform

JBCA uses ScholarOne Manuscripts, administered through Cambridge University Press, as its submission and peer review platform. 

EiC Responsibilities

Per the editorial agreement between SBCA and the Editor-in-Chief, the EiC is expected to:

  1. Meet all editorial requirements in the agreement between SBCA and the JBCA publisher.
  2. Participate in SBCA Board of Directors meetings as an ex officio member.
  3. Recruit and maintain an appropriate Editorial Board.
  4. Provide quarterly reports to the SBCA Board of Directors on submissions, acceptance rates, and other matters relevant to assessing journal success.
  5. Provide an annual accounting of funds provided by SBCA to support editorial activities.
  6. Assist the SBCA Board in recruiting the next editor and work with that editor to achieve a smooth transition.
  7. Reveal to the SBCA Board any potential financial or professional conflicts of interest relevant to administration of JBCA, and ensure that submissions from SBCA Board members receive the same rigorous review as other submissions.
  8. Communicate actively with the SBCA Board, the Editorial Board, and the SBCA membership to identify opportunities for advancing JBCA.

What to Expect: EiC Workload

The EiC workload varies over the course of the year. Submission volume tends to be heaviest between December and March, when the EiC can expect a higher volume of desk review work — evaluating incoming manuscripts and determining whether to desk-reject or assign them to an Associate Editor for peer review. Submissions are typically lighter in late spring and early summer, with another uptick expected at the end of summer as the academic semester begins.

Beyond managing the flow of submissions, the EiC is expected to play a proactive role in enhancing the journal's profile — soliciting high-quality manuscripts and developing special or symposium issues. The incoming EiC will be taking over a journal in good standing with a clean submission pipeline.

Compensation

SBCA provides the following compensation to support the Editor-in-Chief:

  • A flat annual stipend of $10,000.
  • Reimbursement of up to $2,000 in conference-related expenses annually, subject to documentation.

Applicants who believe their proposed editorial team structure warrants a different compensation arrangement are welcome to describe their financial support needs as part of their application. SBCA will consider reasonable proposals in the context of available resources.

Application Process

Expressions of interest are due July 15, 2026, and must be submitted via the online form here. The form will prompt you to indicate your role interest (Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, or either).

Direct questions to the Journal Search Committee at [email protected].

Applying as Editor-in-Chief

EiC applicants should submit the following:

  1. A short statement (one to two pages) reviewing your qualifications and indicating your motivation for serving as JBCA editor.
  2. A short statement (one to two pages) of editorial goals and philosophy, as well as plans for serving journal audiences.
  3. A description of any financial support requested to support the editorship, if different from the compensation terms described above.

Applying as Associate Editor

AE applicants should submit the following:

  1. Curriculum vitae.
  2. A brief statement of interest (one page or less), including subject matter expertise areas relevant to benefit-cost analysis.

No statement of editorial goals is required for AE-only applicants. AE candidates may apply independently or as part of a proposed editorial team.

All applications are self-nominations. Materials must be submitted via the online form only — please do not email application materials.

Submit Your Expression of Interest>>