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The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is seeking candidates for the position of Editor-in-Chief of TechTrends, one of AECT's flagship journals and a premier publication dedicated to linking research and practice to improve learning in the fields of Educational Technology and Instructional/Learning Design & Technology. This freelance independent contractor position is a three (3) year term, renewable upon recommendation by the AECT Center of Excellence for Publishing Advisory Board to the AECT leadership (Executive Director and Board of Directors).

AECT is seeking candidates with (1) strong academic publishing experience and (2) international reputations and networks for this flagship journal. The Editor-in-Chief will serve as a contracted international academic ambassador for TechTrends as an important part of the publishing ecosystem of AECT.

Journal at a Glance

About TechTrends

TechTrends is one of AECT's flagship journals, embodying its tagline philosophy: "Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning." Published six times per year by Springer Nature, the journal serves a broad international audience of Educators, Instructional/Learning Designers, Trainers, and Researchers in K-12, Higher Education, and Corporate and Military Training settings.

TechTrends publishes the following types of manuscripts:

• Reports of innovative or exemplary practices in instructional design and educational technology
• General articles on topics of concern to practitioners
• Critical reviews of important literature, materials, and devices
• Summaries of research translated into practical application
• Reviews of new or emerging technologies
• Discussions of policy related to educational communications and technology
• Reports of national and international trends in the field

Over 50% of articles published in TechTrends in 2025 were related to one or more of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The journal is indexed in SCOPUS, ERIC, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Emerging Sources Citation Index, and many other major databases.

TechTrends is a peer-reviewed journal. Submitted manuscripts are reviewed by a panel of consulting editors and other professionals with expertise in the topics presented. Any manuscript considered appropriate is reviewed anonymously. Reviewers are asked to provide detailed comments for authors, which the Editor-in-Chief reviews before transmitting them to the authors.

About the Editor-in-Chief of TechTrends

Reporting to AECT leadership (Executive Director and Board of Directors), the Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the overall content of the journal, including soliciting and selecting manuscripts; editing or supervising the editing of manuscripts; developing, adding, or removing standard features such as columns and departments; securing, appointing, supervising, and terminating contract workers and volunteers; directing and approving the layout and design of the journal; managing the peer-review process; completing the annual end-of-year report; addressing the submission volume and fiscal health of the journal; and other responsibilities consistent with the position or assigned by the AECT Leadership.

Start Date

The new Editor-in-Chief will assume the role on January 1, 2027. It is hoped that the incoming Editor-in-Chief will attend the journal's Editorial Board meeting at the 2026 AECT Convention in Chicago (November 3–7, 2026) and begin assisting with editorial responsibilities between November and December 2026 to ease the transition.

Role and Responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief

The following is a general description of the Editor-in-Chief role for TechTrends, including their main responsibilities.

Manuscript Processing

• Receives all submissions to TechTrends and determines whether they are: (1) suitable for review, (2) rejected without review, (3) returned for revision prior to review, or (4) more appropriate for another AECT/Springer publication
• Oversees development and review of all submitted manuscripts
• Manages the full review workflow, including article revisions and final publication decisions
• Maintains timely communication with authors, reviewers, Springer, and AECT leadership
• Responds to inquiries from authors and reviewers
• Identifies and recruits qualified reviewers; removes retired or non-performing reviewers
• Reports to the AECT Executive Leadership and Board of Directors

Journal Leadership

• Collaborates with the Editorial Board, AECT Leadership, and Springer representatives in planning future and special issues
• Leads the Editorial Team in accepting and rejecting manuscripts based on established standards of quality and readership suitability
• Manages the appointment and rotation of Editorial Board members and Consulting Reviewers, and notifies AECT Leadership and Springer of outcomes
• Uses professional networks to advocate for TechTrends and AECT's publishing initiatives (e.g., Publishing Summit) among interested scholars
• Co-coordinates TechTrends sessions at AECT events (e.g., AECT Convention and AECT International Publishing Summit)
• Conducts an annual reflective review of journal content and submits a report to the AECT Leadership prior to the end of the first month of the following volume year
• Every third year, leads a review of editorial policies and provides a summary report to the AECT Leadership

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Instructional/Learning Design, Educational Technology, Educational Research, Educational Psychology, or equivalent
• Established international professional and/or scholarly network across colleges, universities, businesses, nonprofits, or similar organizations
• Record of publication in TechTrends or similar high-quality, peer-reviewed journals in the field
• Experience as an Editor/Guest, Assistant, or Associate Editor in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals in the field
• Active AECT membership throughout the tenure of the position (membership may be initiated if not already in place)
• Willingness to commit to attending the Annual AECT Convention (when funding is available), the International Publishing Summit (when funding is available), and AECT online meetings, and demonstrated overall commitment to AECT as an organization
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident authorized to work in the United States to accept a 1099-NEC form for tax filing purposes. This position is NOT eligible for a visa sponsorship.

Desirable Knowledge and Skills

• Prior service on the TechTrends Editorial Board or Consulting Reviewers panel
• Process development and management skills
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Enthusiastic, action-oriented leadership style with demonstrated team-building skills

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by August 31^st, 2026, EOD via the AECT application portal: https://form.jotform.com/AECT/techtrends-application-form

Please submit the following documents as PDFs:

• Cover Letter (one page): Indicating your interest in the position and outlining your special initiatives and vision for TechTrends as Editor-in-Chief
• Curriculum Vitae (two pages maximum): Including a link to your professional website or profile, if applicable
• Letter of Institutional Support: From your Department Chair, Dean, or equivalent supervisor

The Search Committee will review all applications and interview candidates throughout August and September, and issue its recommendation in October 2026. The newly selected TechTrends Editor-in-Chief will begin their duty on January 1, 2027. The recommended candidate will be ratified by the AECT Center of Excellence in Publishing Advisory Board and the AECT Board of Directors.

Questions about the position may be directed to the most recent former Editors-in-Chief for TechTrends:

• Dr. John Curry, Interim Associate Dean, Department Chair, and Professor, Idaho State University
• Dr. Charles B. Hodges, Professor of Leadership, Technology & Human Development, Georgia Southern University

Inquiries about the search process must be directed to the AECT Headquarters Staff at aect@aect.org.