**Mass Resignation of Evolution Journal Editors: A Stand Against Unethical Practices**
Over the holiday weekend, a shocking development rocked the scientific publishing world as all but one member of the editorial board of Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) resigned en masse. The resignation, as reported by Retraction Watch, was met with “heartfelt sadness and great regret” by the departing editors, who cited a myriad of concerns over the direction the journal was taking under Elsevier’s management.
**A Painful Decision**
In a poignant statement released online, the board members expressed deep sorrow over their decision to resign, highlighting the immense dedication and hard work they had poured into making JHE a leading journal in paleoanthropological research. The editors, who collectively had decades of experience, lamented that they could no longer work with Elsevier in good conscience due to a series of troubling changes that they believe compromised the journal’s editorial integrity and principles.
**Breakdown of Editorial Integrity**
The editorial board outlined several key issues that led to their mass resignation, including the elimination of critical support roles such as copy editor and special issues editor, leaving the burden on the already stretched editorial board. Moreover, a proposed restructuring to drastically reduce the number of associate editors and the unilateral control exerted by Elsevier over the editorial board’s composition were cited as major red flags that eroded the journal’s independence.
**AI Gone Awry**
One of the most alarming revelations was the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the editorial process by Elsevier, which resulted in numerous style and formatting errors in published papers. The editors recounted a humiliating incident where AI processing led to the reversal of accepted and formatted papers, causing significant delays and embarrassment for the journal. Additionally, exorbitant author page charges raised concerns about the journal’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness.
**Support and Criticism**
Renowned anthropologist John Hawks voiced his support for the resigning editors, expressing shock at the revelation of AI integration without proper disclosure to authors. The incident sheds light on the growing debate surrounding the use of AI in scientific publishing, with concerns about accuracy and transparency looming large. While some see potential benefits in AI applications, the JHE debacle serves as a cautionary tale of how unchecked technological interventions can jeopardize the integrity of scientific research.
**Looking Ahead**
As the fallout from the mass resignation reverberates through the scientific community, calls for establishing new independent, nonprofit journals with high academic standards are gaining momentum. The brave stand taken by the JHE editors underscores the importance of upholding ethical practices in scientific publishing and the need for greater transparency and accountability from industry players.
In the face of adversity, the resilience and unwavering commitment of the scientific community to uphold the principles of integrity and excellence shine through. As we navigate the complex landscape of modern publishing, let us heed the lessons learned from this episode and strive to build a future where knowledge is nurtured by trust and collaboration.