Editorial Recruitment Policy and Responsibilities

Purpose

The Journal of Illicit Trade, Financial Crime and Compliance (JITFCC) is committed to maintaining an Editorial Board of distinguished scholars and practitioners with expertise in illicit trade, financial crime, regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, governance, law enforcement, public policy, and related disciplines. Editorial appointments are based on academic excellence, professional expertise, integrity, and a commitment to ethical and high-quality scholarly publishing. The Editorial Board provides academic leadership, supports the peer-review process, and contributes to the Journal's quality, visibility, and international reputation.

Editorial Responsibilities

Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief provides the overall academic, strategic, and editorial leadership of the Journal. The Editor-in-Chief defines the Journal's aims, scope, and editorial policies, oversees the peer-review and editorial decision-making process, and makes final decisions on manuscript acceptance or rejection. The role also includes safeguarding editorial independence, ensuring compliance with publication ethics and research integrity standards, maintaining the quality and timeliness of publication, promoting the Journal within the international academic and professional community, and guiding the Journal's long-term growth and development.

Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board Members serve as academic advisors and ambassadors for the Journal. They support the Editor-in-Chief by reviewing manuscripts within their areas of expertise, recommending qualified peer reviewers, providing expert advice on editorial matters, and contributing to the development of the Journal's academic direction. Board members are encouraged to identify emerging topics in illicit trade, financial crime, compliance, and related fields, promote the Journal through their professional networks, encourage the submission of high-quality manuscripts, and support initiatives that enhance the Journal's scholarly impact and international visibility. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, impartiality, editorial independence, and publication ethics in all editorial activities.

Editorial Recruitment

Editorial Board Members are appointed through a transparent, merit-based process to ensure broad international representation and multidisciplinary expertise. Prospective members may be identified through their scholarly achievements, professional leadership, editorial or peer-review experience, recommendations from existing board members or respected scholars, or previous contributions to the Journal. The Editor-in-Chief evaluates each candidate based on academic expertise, publication record, research impact, commitment to ethical publishing, and willingness to contribute actively to the Journal.

Appointment and Review

Editorial Board appointments are honorary, voluntary and unpaid. Each appointed member receives a formal invitation outlining the expected responsibilities and the Journal's editorial policies. Editorial Board membership is reviewed periodically to ensure continued engagement, disciplinary relevance, international diversity, and effective support for the Journal's mission and strategic objectives.