Digital Event Horizon
The editorial board of Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution has resigned en masse due to a series of contentious changes made by the publisher. The decision highlights the dangers of prioritizing profit over quality in academic publishing and serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency, accountability, and quality in our publications.
The editorial board of Elsevier's Journal of Human Evolution has resigned en masse due to concerns over profit over quality. The publisher eliminated support for a copy editor and special issues editor, leading to numerous style and formatting errors. The introduction of AI production processes without notification resulted in AI-generated figures being published in a peer-reviewed article. A proposed restructuring plan aims to reduce associate editors by more than half, increasing workload on remaining editors outside their expertise. The decision highlights the dangers of prioritizing profit over quality in academic publishing and the importance of transparency, accountability, and quality in publications.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, the editorial board of Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) has resigned en masse, citing a litany of grievances that highlight the dangers of prioritizing profit over quality in academic publishing. The decision comes on the heels of a series of contentious changes made by the publisher to the journal's business model, which have been met with resistance from editors and authors alike.
At the heart of the controversy is Elsevier’s decision to eliminate support for a copy editor and special issues editor, tasks that were previously handled by the editorial board. In place of these positions, the publisher has opted to rely on in-house production processes, which have resulted in numerous style and formatting errors, as well as the reversal of previously accepted manuscripts. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the production process has also been introduced without informing the editorial board, leading to a situation in which AI-generated figures were published in a peer-reviewed article earlier this year, only to be later retracted due to their egregious quality.
The editorial board's decision to resign was sparked by a combination of factors, including the elimination of support for a copy editor and special issues editor, as well as the introduction of AI production processes without proper notification. These changes have resulted in a significant increase in errors and inconsistencies, which have undermined the journal's reputation and compromised its integrity.
Furthermore, the publisher has proposed a restructuring plan that aims to reduce the number of associate editors by more than half, with the remaining editors being tasked with handling an exponentially increased workload on topics outside their area of expertise. This move has been met with widespread criticism from the scientific community, who view it as a clear attempt to slash costs and prioritize profit over quality.
The controversy surrounding JHE is not unique, however. Elsevier has faced numerous criticisms in recent years for its business practices, including high author fees and a lack of transparency about its production processes. The decision by the editorial board to resign serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prioritizing profit over quality in academic publishing.
As scientists and academics continue to grapple with the implications of AI in research, it is essential that we prioritize transparency, accountability, and quality in our publications. The case of JHE serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of ensuring that AI is used responsibly and with proper oversight, rather than allowing it to compromise the integrity of our work.
In conclusion, the resignation of the editorial board of Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution is a stark reminder of the dangers of prioritizing profit over quality in academic publishing. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize transparency, accountability, and quality in our publications, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and with proper oversight.
Related Information:
https://www.wired.com/story/editors-at-science-journal-resign-en-masse-over-bad-use-of-ai-high-fees/
Published: Thu Jan 2 18:26:27 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
