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David vs Goliath: Early career researchers in an unethical publishing system
  • +8
  • Aurore Receveur,
  • jonathan Bonfanti,
  • Stephanie D'Agata,
  • Andrew Helmstetter,
  • Nicole Moore,
  • Brunno Oliveira,
  • Cathleen Petit,
  • Érica Rievrs Borges,
  • marieke schultz,
  • Aaron Sexton,
  • Devi Veytia
Aurore Receveur
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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jonathan Bonfanti
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Stephanie D'Agata
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Andrew Helmstetter
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Nicole Moore
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Brunno Oliveira
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Cathleen Petit
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Érica Rievrs Borges
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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marieke schultz
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Aaron Sexton
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Devi Veytia
Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
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Abstract

The publish-or-perish culture in academia has catalysed the development of an unethical publishing system. This system is characterised by the proliferation of journals and publishers—unaffiliated with learned societies or universities—that maintain extremely large revenues and profit margins diverting funds away from the academic community. Early career researchers (ECRs) are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of this publishing system because of intersecting factors, including pressure to pursue high impact publications, rising publication costs and job insecurity. Moving towards a more ethical system requires that scientists advocate for structural change by making career choices that come with risks, many of which disproportionately impact ECRs. We illuminate major issues facing ECRs in Ecology and Evolution under the current publishing system, and propose a portfolio of actions to promote systemic change that can be implemented by ECRs and established researchers.
27 Oct 2023Submitted to Ecology Letters
30 Oct 2023Submission Checks Completed
30 Oct 2023Assigned to Editor
30 Oct 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Feb 20241st Revision Received
05 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
17 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Accept
Mar 2024Published in Ecology Letters volume 27 issue 3. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14395