ISTH Publications Committee

Roles and Responsibilities

Role
The Publications Committee supports the Society’s editors and oversees the official journal and
other hardcopy and online publications of the Society that are under scientific editorial
leadership and control, particularly from the strategic, commercial and management aspect.

Responsibilities
The following are ongoing responsibilities of the Publications Committee. Specific annual
objectives set by the Council Chair are listed separately.

• Ensure the strategic development, effective organization, and interrelationship of ISTH

publications such that they contribute to the overall goals of the Society.
• Review and update job descriptions for editorial positions, including making
recommendations on honoraria/stipends.
• Identify candidates for editor of the Society’s publications and make recommendations
to Council.
• Provide oversight of editorial operations, including monitoring all financial aspects of
publications in relation to the overall budget of the Society; bring recommendations for
financial obligations to Executive Committee and Council for approval.
• Oversee the performance of the publisher(s) and other publications-related vendors,
conduct negotiations and recommend to the Executive Committee and Council
appropriate publishing arrangements; monitor contracts and raise issues if necessary.
• Monitor the competitive position of ISTH’s publications; develop strategies to increase
international distribution, reach and impact.
• Review publication strategies and editorial policies to support ISTH goals and make
recommendations to the Executive Committee and Council.
• Submit written reports at least once a year to Council, including a budget report.
• Publications under the responsibility of the ISTH Publications committee include the
JTH, and the contractual aspects eLearning activities (with eLearning content the
purview of the Education Committee).

Note: Editorial functions and decisions are the responsibility of the Editors of each ISTH
publication.

Budget
The Publications Committee participates in the annual budget planning process, recommending
an expense budget for the publications for which it is responsible to Council for approval. The
Committee monitors expenses against the approved budget on an ongoing basis. Requests for
variances over 5 % must be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval.

Composition
• Designated Council member Chair and Vice Chair, Treasurer serves ex officio, and up to
three additional members, two of which should not be currently sitting ISTH Councilors
 • Editors of any publications under the remit of the Committee serve as ex officio and
non-voting members.
• All Committee members should be ISTH members in good standing and should ideally
have editorial/publishing experience.

Appointment and Terms

Committee Chair, Vice Chair and members are appointed, and terms set according to the ISTH
Standing Committee Guidelines. The Chair of the Publications Committee also serves on the
Executive Committee.

Meetings
The Publications Committee shall meet at least twice per year, typically via tele/video
conference. One of these meetings should be in person on the occasion of the ISTH Annual SSC
Meeting or Congress.

Staff Liaison
Christine Candora-Hickey, Board and Committees Senior Coordinator

(Updated February 2018)