The Australian Journal of Human Rights - Student Internships

Why Should You Consider Being a Journal Intern?

As the first academic publication in Australia devoted exclusively to human rights, the Australian Journal of Human Rights brings together scholarship from many disciplines. As the journal intern you get the chance to be exposed to scholarship on human rights from a variety of perspectives other than law, as you work together with academics from a variety of fields and deal, on a daily basis, with submissions from leading thinkers about human rights issues. As the journal intern you have an excellent chance to expand your knowledge of human rights as you are challenged to see human rights issues from perspectives other than those that are legal.

As, you work independently and with student volunteers to create the journal, you get hands on experience in publication production. You are required to edit and manage the edition of the journal that will go to print while you are the intern and so you learn skills in editing, referencing, style and structure. Also as you have to supervise the volunteers and all the submitted pieces, you can hone your organization skills.

Being an intern is an interesting break for the grind of law subjects, for although it is demanding, it is always interesting, dynamic and fun. It also offers you the opportunity to get involved in the research and other activities that the Australian Human Rights Centre participates in. Recently four Centre volunteers (one of whom was a journal intern) prepared a series of backgrounds papers for distribution at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Executive Committee meeting in Geneva, while others worked on submissions to various governmental and United Nations inquiries. You are well positioned as the Journal Intern to get involved and play a role any like activities and see the practical application of your legal and social knowledge.

Journal Intern Tasks:

Perform assigned tasks for Journal (from Academic Editors). Primarily editing articles for publication.
Work independently to monitor progress of articles submitted. Update computer-tracking document from whiteboard on a weekly basis for backu
Update standard form letters under academic editors
Guide and assist journal volunteers with the their assigned articles
Prepare abstracts for the Journal for web publication
Manage and update referee database and enter into computer fully checked
Assign tasks to student volunteers as necessary and possible
Carefully monitor the progress of journal volunteers and be prepared to take over or assist as necessary
Edit articles according to the style guide and assist student volunteers with these
Prepare regular updates for academic editors on the status of each article and of the next edition for publication
Be prepared for a commitment of at least 8 hours per week for the entire semester

Administrative:

Be a regular Centre presence (answer phones, etc) 8 hours per week
Check and answer journal email
Liaise with Administrator and Academic Editors on Journal management
Conduct Centre’s relationship with Butterworths /Lexus Nexis
Attend and minute editorial board meetings
Act as a stable contact person for contributors and referees
Assist Centre administrator with organising and managing 12th Floor Matthews Human Rights Centre rooms.

HOW TO APPLY

Send a CV, with particular reference to publications or editing experience, as well as the name and address of two referees to:

Peter Kriesler

School of Economics

UNSW

Sydney, NSW 2052 Phone: 02-9385 3373

Fax: 02-9313 6337

E-mail: p.kriesler@unsw.edu.au