About the Department

The Publications Department manages the peer review process, editing, layout, and distribution of The Middle East Journal, making it one of MEI’s busiest departments. Since 1947, the Institute has published The Middle East Journal — one of the defining publications of American Middle East studies and the oldest scholarly journal about the region in the country. Interns are crucial to the publication of the Journal. In editing and creating content for the Journal, they acquire a broad knowledge of current Middle East scholarship and learn about in-house publishing.

Responsibilities

Book Annotations

Each intern is required to write book annotations for the Journal’s Recent Publications section. Annotations are short synopses of recent or forthcoming publications pertaining to the Middle East. Interns select the books they annotate from a bookshelf of wide-ranging material, and annotations give interns the opportunity to both explore areas of interest to them and master research summarization.

Editing

Publications interns are involved in the entire publication process of The Middle East Journal. Interns provide assistance in editing content and graphics for every Journal, from early drafts through final proofreading. Interns work directly with the Journal’s editor and associate editor to build their editorial skills.

Assist the Editor, Associate Editor, and Book Review Editor as Needed

Publications interns are responsible for assisting the editor, associate editor, and book reviewer of the Journal as needed. Tasks draw upon interns’ multitasking and management skills, and can include research, development work, and other analysis.


Number of positions: 1-2

Required Skills

  • Excellent writing skills

Desired Skills

  • Any regional language skills (including French) a plus
  • video editing
  • Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Excel skills preferred
  • Marketing experience a plus

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