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ACSE Joins United2Act Movement as Signatory to Combat Paper Mills

By   Maryam Sayab Mar 16, 2024 1666 8

The Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE) is proud to announce its participation in the global initiative, United2Act, as a Signatory, in its mission to combat predatory publishing practices, particularly paper mills. United2Act, a collaborative initiative aimed at eradicating paper mills and unethical publishing behaviors, has gained significant traction in the scholarly community. ACSE's decision to become a Signatory underscores its dedication to upholding integrity and quality in academic and scientific publishing.

The corruption of the scientific record, highlighted in major news outlets, stems from pressures on researchers to publish, publishers' lack of emphasis on quality, and institutional ambitions. United2Act, exemplified by its fight against paper mills, showcases the collaborative effort required to address such issues. This initiative, supported by STM and COPE, unites stakeholders globally, aiming to combat fraudulent publishing practices. The Consensus Statement, derived from a virtual summit held in May 2023, brought together research bodies, publishers, researchers/scholars, universities, and publishing infrastructure from 15 countries. This collaborative effort culminated in the creation of a Consensus Statement that delineates five key areas of action.

As a key player in the academic publishing landscape, ACSE recognizes the detrimental impact of paper mills on research integrity and scholarly communication. By aligning with United2Act, ACSE reaffirms its stance against predatory publishing practices and demonstrates its solidarity with fellow stakeholders in the industry. ACSE’s commitment to fostering a transparent and ethical publishing environment is unwavering, and joining United2Act allows it to amplify its efforts and work collaboratively towards a solution.

United2Act's Working Groups, aim to tackle various aspects of the problem. Efforts include enhancing education, improving post-publication corrections, understanding paper mills' dynamics, developing trust markers, and fostering dialogue among stakeholders. This proactive approach signifies a coordinated effort to understand and combat the widespread issue of paper mills.

United2Act provides a platform for organizations and individuals to unite their voices and resources in combating predatory publishing practices. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, United2Act aims to raise awareness and implement strategies to protect researchers and uphold the integrity of scholarly publishing. By joining United2Act, ACSE further solidifies its commitment to promoting ethical publishing practices and supporting the academic community. Together with other Signatories, ACSE looks forward to contributing to meaningful change and safeguarding the integrity of scholarly research.

For more information about ACSE and its commitment to ethical publishing, please visit the ACSE website.

Keywords

ACSE Asian Council of Science Editors United2Act COPE STM paper mills predatory publishing scholarly communication integrity collaboration solidarity academic publishing ethical practices research integrity coalition advocacy education industry partnership commitment transparency stakeholders collective action awareness ethical publishing Signatory academic community scholarly research

Maryam Sayab
Maryam Sayab

Maryam Sayab is the Director of Communications at the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE) and Co-Chair of Peer Review Week. With a background rooted in research integrity and publication ethics, she actively works to advance regional conversations around responsible peer review, transparent editorial practices, and inclusive open science. Maryam is dedicated to building bridges between global publishing standards and the practical realities faced by researchers and editors, especially across Asia and the Arab world. She also supports initiatives that strengthen community-driven collaboration, ethical scholarship, and the sustainable development of research ecosystems.

View All Posts by Maryam Sayab

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of their affiliated institutions, the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE), or the Editor’s Café editorial team.

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