Sociologist Waverly Duck tapped to lead prominent journal

For the first time in the journal's history, a UC Santa Barbara professor sits at the helm of Sociology of Race & Ethnicity, a flagship publication and the most widely read outside the discipline.

"UCSB has a long and important history of scholarship on race, including figures like Cedric Robinson, Howard Winant and the late Reginald Daniel - among many others," said sociology professor Waverly Duck, whose first issue as the new editor-in-chief was published this month. "It feels fitting for the journal to be based here."

"What feels especially meaningful," Duck added, "is that the journal sits at the center of conversations about race and ethnicity that are urgent, at times contentious, but also insightful and rewarding. I have noticed that many people are terrified of talking about race and ethnicity, but for those who are engaged it's bold and important work."

Duck is joined by Jason Turowetz, a lecturer in the university's Department of Sociology, who serves as the managing editor of the quarterly publication, launched in 2015 by Sage Journals, whose founder Sara Miller McCune and late-husband, George McCure, are among UCSB's most generous and long-standing donors. Sociology undergraduates Ally Jobe and Suyan Wang are also on board as editorial assistants.

"It's really exciting to be part of a journal that's publishing cutting-edge work and to be in regular communication with the researchers producing it," Turowetz said. "It's been great working with Waverly. We've worked together on various projects in the past, and I'm happy to be accompanying him on this new journey."

Duck said the most challenging part of the position is fielding the sheer number of submissions that arrive at their desks on a steady basis, roughly 70 unsolicited papers each month, all of which need to be read and closely considered. "We're looking at the argument and the data, and asking, 'What's new here? What's important? What's sociological?'"

At the same time, he's also recruiting potential readers as pieces are moved along to the peer review process, which can also present challenges as that work is traditionally unpaid. Ultimately, Duck has the final say about which studies will be published - and which ones will not.

"In my rejection letters, I try to give high quality feedback and advice," Duck said. "I really want to be supportive and not discouraging. Having a peer reviewed article in a top tier journal can be transformative to their careers. I want them to learn and keep trying."

Reflecting on the leadup to his new role and the first issue under his watch, Duck said, "It's the opportunity of a lifetime and the most important service in my career so far. I'm excited. This issue reflects the great work of reviewers and the new editorial team and a range and quality of submissions from around the world."

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