An Unprecedented Event
Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) faced a mass resignation recently, seeing a large majority of its editorial board resign. According to information found via Retraction Watch, only a single board member stayed on, marking the 20th instance of mass resignation from science journals since 2023.
A Difficult Decision
In their joint statement, the board members expressed deep sorrow, citing dedication to the journal and its numerous contributors over the past 38 years. The reasoning behind the decision revolved around a slew of changes that have been taking place over the past decade, which they believe have been detrimental to the journal’s foundational principles.
Key Concerns
Among the changes criticized were the removal of certain roles such as a copy editor and a special issues editor. Allegedly, Elsevier suggested that these concerns weren't of importance, which the board staunchly disagreed with. A reconfiguration of the editorial board was also mentioned that planned to drastically reduce the number of associate editors.
Increasing AI Involvement
Interestingly, the use of AI technology for production was criticized. The board suggested that AI use resulted in numerous formatting and stylistic errors, as well as altering already edited papers. This particular change was made without proper notification to the board.
Exorbitant Charges
Also noted were unsustainably high author page charges for JHE when compared to other journals. Many of the journal’s authors are unable to afford these charges which the board views as a violation of the journal's commitment to inclusivity.
Breaking Point
Last November, the final straw came when the long-standing dual-editor model was abruptly discarded by Elsevier. Demonstrations by coeditors were met with an ultimatum—either accept a 50 percent pay cut or let the model be discontinued.
Public Outcry and Elsevier’s Response
In response to these happenings, vocal democrats took to the internet to express their dissatisfaction as well. Chris Lee of Ars Technica was among the critics. Elsevier has not yet commented on the issue.
The Debate on AI in Science
One major concern arising from these developments is the use of AI in scientific research. Recently, fraudulent images generated by AI were published in a notable scientific journal. This has led to an overarching skepticism about the use of AI in publishing, with grave implications on credibility.
Looking at the Future
However, not all views on AI are negative. In early 2024, Science announced plans to make use of an AI system to detect tampering in images. This opens up the possibility for AI technology to be a valuable tool in scientific research. The primary worry, in that case, becomes malicious misuse of the technology to avoid detection.
The Aftermath of the Resignation
The mass exodus from the Wiley-published linguistics journal Syntax in February triggered a debate over the effectiveness of mass resignations as a means of protest. The editors of the Syntax journal are currently in the process of setting up a new independent nonprofit journal, which they hope will set a precedent for future editor boards dissatisfied with their current situations.
