Governance

Constitution

1. Governance Structure

1.1. General Assembly

1.1.1 Composition

The General Assembly is composed of the Editors-in-Chief, and the Editorial Board. The current members of the General Assembly can be contacted at linguistics-star@ucl.ac.uk.

1.1.2. Responsibilities

  • The General Assembly has full control over the contents, management, and governance of the journal. It is responsible for making the strategic decisions necessary to implement the Journal’s mission.
  • The General Assembly is authorised to approve and modify the Constitution. Approval and modification of the Constitution requires a two thirds majority of the votes.
  • The General Assembly has the right to terminate the office of any of its members at any time. Such termination requires a two third majority of the votes of the General Assembly.

1.1.3. Delegation

The General Assembly can appoint one or more representatives from among its members, who can act on its behalf in relations with third parties. The Representatives shall report to the General Assembly on any commitments they have taken on behalf of the General Assembly.

Neither the General Assembly, nor any individual member of it, can transfer (their share of) ownership of the Journal title to a third party, subject to the provisions of Article 1.2.

1.2. The foundation Linguistics in Open Access (LingOA)

The foundation Linguistics in Open Access (LingOA), a nonprofit foundation (‘Stichting’) under Dutch law, is the legal owner of the Journal’s main title, STAR: Linguistic Theory and Research.

URL: https://www.lingoa.eu | email: lingoafoundation@gmail.com | Chamber of Commerce: 63153254 | Bank: Stichting Linguistics in Open Access IBAN: NL31 INGB 0007 0451 54 |BIC code INGBNL

1.3. Editorial Board

1.3.1. Composition

The members of the Editorial Board represent the linguistic community in so far as they are committed to the Journal’s mission outlined above.

The Editorial Board (henceforth ‘the Board’) contains at least 20 and at most 50 members. Board members serve a three-year term, which is renewable.

The Board should strive for a composition which is representative of linguistic sub-disciplines as a function of what is published in the journal, a balanced regional distribution across the world, and a gender balance. Selection for membership in the Board specifically takes into account the candidate's excellent standing with respect to previous service as a reviewer or potential to serve in such a role.

Scholars can be invited to serve on the Board in view of their proven services to the field, and in view of the contribution they can make to the realisation of the Journal’s mission. At the end of the three-year term of the Board, the team of editors puts a motivated proposal to the Board as to the composition of the new Board. This proposal contains three lists of names:

  1. names of individuals whose term on the Board is to be renewed
  2. names of individuals whose term on the Board is not to be renewed
  3. names of individuals who are to be invited as new members on the Board

This proposal should take into account the balances and service mentioned in the previous paragraph. The proposal is carried if it receives an ordinary majority in the Board.

Board members cannot simultaneously serve on the team of Editors, and vice versa. Members of the Board can resign at any time.

1.3.2. Responsibilities

The Board has the responsibility, in consultation with the Publisher, for nominating, appointing, and securing the services of the Editors-in-Chief.

1.4. The Editors-in-Chief

1.4.1. Terms of Office

The Editors-in-Chief are appointed for a term of five years, which is renewable upon mutual agreement between the Editorial Board and the Editors-in-Chief.

The Editors-in-Chief can resign from their position at any time provided this resignation is announced six months in advance.

1.4.2. Responsibilties

The Editors-in-Chief are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Journal. The Editors-in-Chief can appoint guest-editors for Special Issues.

2. The Publisher

The General Assembly can decide to engage the services of a Publisher to publish and disseminate the Journal. Since July 2024, the Open Library of Humanities (OLH) is the Publisher of the Journal.