Editors at scientific journals are quitting in droves. According to Retraction Watch, a watchdog publication, there have been at least 20 mass resignations since 2023.
So, what’s going on? If you look closely, you’ll notice a common pattern—publishers are cutting back on the number of editors, increasing the number of papers, and charging hefty fees for authors to publish their work.
The most recent mass resignation happened at the Journal of Human Evolution at the end of 2024. Both co-editors in chief and the entire editorial board quit, except for one person.
What does this mean for the future of scientific publishing? Have these resignations made the big publishers change their ways? Is the strict academic publishing system we know in danger?
To answer those questions and more, Ira talks with Dr. Andrea Taylor, former co-editor in chief of the Journal of Human Evolution; and Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch and editor in chief of The Transmitter.
Further Reading
- Read more about the resignation of editors from the Journal of Human Evolution via Wired.
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Segment Guests
Ivan Oransky
Ivan Oransky is co-founder of Retraction Watch, Editor in Chief of The Transmitter, and a Distinguished Writer In Residence at New York University’s Carter Journalism Institute, where he teaches medical journalism.
Andrea Taylor
Dr. Andrea Taylor is former Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Human Evolution, a biological anthropologist, and a professor of Anatomy in Vallejo, California.
Segment Transcript
The transcript of this segment is being processed. It will be available early next week.
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