Editorial board of the Journal of Human Evolution resigns, citing AI-induced errors, exorbitant author fees, and compromised editorial independence.
Key Points at a Glance
- Entire editorial board, except one member, resigns from Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution.
- Concerns include AI-driven production errors, high author fees, and loss of editorial autonomy.
- Resignation reflects broader discontent within the academic publishing community.
In a significant upheaval within academic publishing, all but one member of the editorial board of the Journal of Human Evolution (JHE), published by Elsevier, have resigned. The mass resignation stems from mounting concerns over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the journal’s production process, escalating author fees, and perceived erosion of editorial independence.
AI-Induced Errors and Production Issues
The editorial board highlighted that Elsevier’s implementation of AI in manuscript production led to numerous errors in style and formatting. In some instances, AI processing reversed versions of papers that had already been accepted and formatted by the editors, causing significant delays and embarrassment for the journal. Despite efforts to rectify these issues, AI-induced errors persisted, necessitating extensive oversight from authors and editors during the proofing stages.
Escalating Author Fees
Another critical issue prompting the resignation was the high author page charges imposed by Elsevier. The board noted that these fees were significantly higher than those of other for-profit journals and broad-based open access publications. Such costs have become prohibitive for many researchers, potentially limiting the diversity and accessibility of scholarly contributions to the journal.
Concerns Over Editorial Independence
The board also expressed alarm over structural changes imposed by Elsevier, including a major restructuring that aimed to reduce the number of associate editors by more than half. This move would have resulted in fewer editors handling a larger volume of papers, often outside their areas of expertise. Additionally, Elsevier’s unilateral control over the board’s structure, requiring annual contract renewals for associate editors, was seen as undermining the journal’s editorial independence and integrity.
Broader Implications
This mass resignation is part of a growing trend of editorial boards protesting against the practices of major academic publishers. Since 2023, there have been at least 20 such resignations over various issues, including high publication fees and the use of AI in the publication process. The situation at JHE underscores the ongoing tensions between academic communities and publishers regarding the commercialization of scholarly work and the integration of AI technologies without adequate oversight.
The departing editors emphasized their commitment to maintaining the quality and integrity of academic publishing. Their collective resignation serves as a call to action for the academic community to reassess the current publishing paradigms and advocate for models that prioritize scholarly values over profit-driven motives.
