Overview of the Situation
A significant event unfolded during the holiday weekend as nearly all members of the editorial board of Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) resigned. This decision came after years of frustration with the changes in the publishing model of the journal. The board expressed deep regret over this choice, stating that their commitment to the journal and its community had been unwavering for decades. However, they felt they could no longer work with Elsevier while maintaining their integrity.
Key Points of Contention
- The editorial board has seen substantial changes over the past decade, including the removal of support roles like copy editors, forcing board members to manage these tasks themselves.
- Elsevier’s restructuring plans aim to cut the number of associate editors by more than half, leading to increased workloads and expertise mismatches.
- The introduction of AI in production processes has led to errors and mismanagement of accepted papers, causing embarrassment and delays.
- Author fees have risen dramatically, making it difficult for many authors to publish, contradicting claims of promoting equality and inclusivity.
Significance of the Resignation
This mass resignation reflects growing dissatisfaction with the scientific publishing industry. It highlights concerns about editorial independence, financial accessibility, and the integrity of academic publications. The move also raises questions about the future of academic journals and the role of commercial interests in scholarly communication. As more editorial boards resign in protest, it suggests a critical need for reform in how scientific research is published and accessed.
