Editorial independence

The following Statement of Principle speaks to a core Elsevier value of intellectual freedom and independent editorial decisions. The statement is informed by the WAME(S’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) policy, The Relationship Between Journal Editors-in-Chief and Owners(S’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and the RELX policy on editorial standards(S’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) to which we abide. Of course, journal editors and publishers will always work together on the business of managing a particular journal, and share duties and responsibilities in this connection as further discussed in our publishing ethics policies.

Principle of editorial independence

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  We believe strongly in ensuring that we keep the editorial decision making processes of our publications completely separate from our commercial interests.

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  Safeguarding this editorial independence requires that all editorial decisions, or concerns or complaints, about editorial decisions are dealt with strictly within the editorial structures of a publication.

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  These structures typically include editors, editors-in-chief, editorial boards or review boards, and ombudsmen or analogous structures for the editorial governance of any given publication.

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  It further requires that no one on the commercial or executive side of the business can get involved in, interfere with or even comment on editorial decisions under any circumstances.

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  To deviate from the rigorous application of this principle in any individual situation would ultimately serve to undermine the integrity of the principle of editorial independence altogether.