Recognition, Workload and Sustainability: Perspectives of <scp>A</scp> ustralian Journal Editors

ABSTRACT This study explores the experiences and perspectives of journal editors in Australia, focusing on their pathways into editorship, required skills, challenges and issues relating to recognition, workload and succession planning. Based on in‐depth qualitative interviews with 27 editors across a range of disciplines and publishing models, we analyse the critical yet often undervalued role of editors in the scholarly publishing landscape. While editors acknowledged the professional benefits of the role, they also highlighted substantial challenges, including struggles with workload, limited institutional support or recognition and the continued reliance on volunteer labour. The findings reveal tensions arising from the increasing commercialisation of academic publishing, research metrics and the changing demands of academic work. Through a focus on individual experiences, this study contributes new insights into the realities of journal editorship and its implications for academic careers, university workload management and the sustainability of Australian journal publishing.