The evolution of a journal is inevitable. The Journal of Field Archaeology is again embarking on a series of changes. For over two decades, graduate-student fellows in the Department of Archaeology at Boston University have been a critical component of the JFA. To realize each issue, they work closely with our authors and our publisher, Taylor and Francis, including their offices in the UK and India. Here I introduce our new Chad Di Gregorio Fellows, Laura Heath-Stout and Catherine Scott. In addition, Mary Clarke assumes the position of Art Editor. Laura's interests include knowledge production, feminist theory, identity, Mesoamerican archaeology, and historical archaeology. Catherine brings interests in soil chemistry, archaeological science, and Anatolian archaeology. Mary shares Laura's focus in Mesoamerica, as well as research applications for illustration and digital interfaces. Sara Belkin moves from being a Chad Di Gregorio Fellow to becoming our Senior Editorial Assistant, and thus the JFA is lucky to retain her interests in historical archaeology, post-colonialism, diaspora, and transnationalism, as well as her experience in production of the JFA.
As we close out volume 42, we look towards a new beginning. Going forward, the JFA will move from six issues to eight issues per year, printed twice annually with four issues each. We plan also for one special Open Access online issue each year. To this end, I am pleased that our acceptance rates should increase and our turn around time will be shorter. We will also offer greater capabilities for online supplemental material, video, and digital enhancements to online platforms. Scholars interested in proposing themed issues should submit proposals to the JFA ([email protected]).
These changes reflect the strength of archaeological and heritage studies on the global stage. As digital innovations create new opportunities for hosting data as well as ways of presenting objects, maps, and more, we are reminded also of the common thread that weaves its way through the fabrics of our trans-disciplinary field. The text of an article still forms the primary lens of communicating research. To this end, we're making another change. The target word length for JFA articles has been 10,000 words inclusive of references. Moving forward, we look towards greater detail with a target length of 12,000 words (also inclusive of references). Of course, some essays will require more space, and some less. The JFA begins this new chapter with hope for an expanded vision and broadened representation of the fields of archaeology among our contributing authors.