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Welcome!
This month, COPE is introducing two important frameworks, which together establish a shared foundation for ethical excellence: new Core Principles and the reintroduction of a formal Code of Conduct for members.
The Core Principles articulate the values that underpin responsible, transparent, and fair scholarly publishing practices. While publication ethics can be complex, the principles offer a clear starting point. They are designed to guide decision-making across policies, editorial practices and processes, and responses to ethical concerns.
The principles also provide a common reference point for the wider research community, supporting efforts to address systemic bias and strengthen accountability.
The six principles are: Accountability; Fairness, justice, and equity; Integrity; Rigour and accuracy; Stewardship; Transparency.
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Reintroduced in response to member feedback, and replacing the previous Core Practices, the Code of Conduct sets the professional standard for all members to uphold in their day-to-day activities. Adherence to the Code is now a requirement of membership, and we have provided a 12-month transition period for full implementation by members. We ask all members to review these frameworks and consider how they can be embedded within your organisation’s policies and practices to help strengthen trust across our global community.
COPE'S CORE PRINCIPLES AND CODE OF CONDUCT
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INTRODUCTION TO PUBLICATION ETHICS WEBINAR RECORDING
COPE Advisor Dr James Kigera, STM's Sarah Phibbs, and Blessing Mawire of Research4Life spoke at this webinar, hosted by Research4Life. James gave a practical introduction to COPE's role in providing education and support to journals and publishers with useful guidance and tools that are freely available.
The webinar is part of the Research4Life Publishing Futures series supporting editors and publishers to shape the future of global knowledge exchange.
WATCH THE VIDEO >
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COPE CHINA SEMINAR
On 17 June, attendees from across the research publishing ecosystem gathered at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine for the 2026 COPE China Seminar, co-sponsored by CUJS and CMAPH. Participants focused on a shared challenge: how to govern research integrity across a rapidly evolving ecosystem shaped by AI-generated content, paper mills and new forms of misconduct.
CHINA SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS >
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ASIAN COUNCIL OF SCIENCE EDITORS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2026
Renee Hoch will represent COPE on the panel discussion "Restoring trust in practice: what works and what doesn't". Panelists will discuss initiatives implemented across editorial management, reviewer engagement, policy enforcement, and workflow transparency, reflecting on what has delivered measurable improvement and where challenges persist.
REGISTER FOR THE ACSE ANNUAL CONFERENCE >
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PUBLICATION INTEGRITY WEEK 2026
MONDAY 2 TO THURSDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2026
Save the date in your calendars as we continue to build a week of virtiual events around this year’s theme: Rooted in principles, united in purpose. 2 to 5 November 2026.
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NEW CASES
Our June Forum heard four new cases submitted for advice. View the cases with a summary of the discussion and advice offered:
UPDATES TO CASES
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WHEN CITATION INTEGRITY IS QUESTIONED
At our recent COPE Forum, Gráinne McNamara and Elena Vicario examined concerns raised about reference integrity in a number of publications. In these cases, references have been suggested to be irrelevant, erroneous, or even completely non-existent.
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Attendees joined to discuss what it means for the editorial workflow and what an Editor should consider when faced with questionable integrity of references.
Watch the introduction to the discussion and add your comments.
VIDEO AND DISCUSSION >
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NEW COPE COUNCIL MEMBERS
We are delighted to welcome four new Council Members: Adya Misra, Sam Illingworth, Amy Kullas, and Laura Wilson. They bring expertise in the development of ethics policies, investigation and resolution of integrity issues, and research into generative AI in academic publishing and peer review.
COUNCIL MEMBERS >
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FABRICATION AND FALSIFICATION: ELEARNING
COPE Members only
In these eLearning modules you will learn how fabrication and falsification are defined, tools to help you investigate, and steps you can take if you suspect fabrication or falsification in an article.
ELEARNING MODULES >
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YOUR PUBLICATION ETHICS CASES
COPE Members only
If you have a publication ethics issue you're currently dealing with and need advice from other COPE members, submit your case for discussion and advice at the Forum or from COPE Council Members.
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Submitting a guest editorial or opinion piece to COPE
We welcome guest editorials and opinion articles regarding research and publication ethics from COPE members. Please read the COPE guest editorial policy before submitting your article.
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COPE Digest Editors:
Mark Hooper, COPE Council Member
Managing Editor, Sarah Gillmore, COPE Engagement & Outreach Officer
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