2
|
Javed F, Michelogiannakis D, Rossouw PE. Editorial bullying: an exploration of acts impacting publication ethics and related environment. Front Res Metr Anal 2024; 9:1345553. [PMID: 38450043 PMCID: PMC10915017 DOI: 10.3389/frma.2024.1345553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Bullying and misconduct in the realm of scientific and scholarly publishing have the potential to jeopardize the transparency and integrity of academic discourse. While misconduct issues among authors have been extensively discussed, the role of editors in perpetuating or mitigating such problems has garnered less attention. Scientific publishing serves as the gateway for disseminating innovative research findings globally, and the role of editors, especially Editor/s-in-chief, is pivotal in safeguarding the rigor and credibility of published research. Editor bullying and misconduct involve behaviors that undermine the scientific process, compromise research integrity, and harm the careers and wellbeing of individuals. These actions may manifest as biased decision-making, suppression of dissenting voices, or the exploitation of power dynamics in the peer review process. To address these issues, preventive and therapeutic approaches are suggested, including enhancing awareness, recognizing and mitigating exacerbating factors, and upholding professionalism. Moreover, the importance of a conflict-of-interest declaration for editors is highlighted to ensure transparency and integrity in the editorial process. The present mini-review aims to shed light on editor bullying, illuminating its gravity and the urgency to address these issues within the academic publishing domain/s. This review underscores the more subtle, yet equally significant, issue of professional misconduct in the editorial realm of scientific journals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fawad Javed
- Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Manuel P, Tang GH, Weyand A, James P, Sholzberg M. Academic bullying in science and medicine: the need for reform. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2024; 8:102270. [PMID: 38222079 PMCID: PMC10784303 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.102270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Manuel
- Hematology/Oncology Clinical Research Group, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grace H. Tang
- Hematology/Oncology Clinical Research Group, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Weyand
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Paula James
- Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michelle Sholzberg
- Department of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martin JT, Asimakopoulos D, Hornung AL, Toro SJ, Le Maitre CL, Chahine NO, Fields AJ, Gawri R, Giers MB, Smith LJ, Tang SY, Zehra U, Haglund L, Samartzis D. Bullying, harassment, and discrimination of musculoskeletal researchers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: an international study. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2023; 32:1861-1875. [PMID: 37014436 PMCID: PMC10071222 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-023-07684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bullying, harassment, and discrimination (BHD) are prevalent in academic, scientific, and clinical departments, particularly orthopedic surgery, and can have lasting effects on victims. As it is unclear how BHD affects musculoskeletal (MSK) researchers, the following study assessed BHD in the MSK research community and whether the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused hardships in other industries, had an impact. METHODS A web-based anonymous survey was developed in English by ORS Spine Section members to assess the impact of COVID-19 on MSK researchers in North America, Europe, and Asia, which included questions to evaluate the personal experience of researchers regarding BHD. RESULTS 116 MSK researchers completed the survey. Of respondents, 34.5% (n = 40) focused on spine, 30.2% (n = 35) had multiple areas of interest, and 35.3% (n = 41) represented other areas of MSK research. BHD was observed by 26.7% (n = 31) of respondents and personally experienced by 11.2% (n = 13), with mid-career faculty both observing and experiencing the most BHD. Most who experienced BHD (53.8%, n = 7) experienced multiple forms. 32.8% (n = 38) of respondents were not able to speak out about BHD without fear of repercussions, with 13.8% (n = 16) being unsure about this. Of those who observed BHD, 54.8% (n = 17) noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had no impact on their observations. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to address the prevalence and determinants of BHD among MSK researchers. MSK researchers experienced and observed BHD, while many were not comfortable reporting and discussing violations to their institution. The COVID-19 pandemic had mixed-effects on BHD. Awareness and proactive policy changes may be warranted to reduce/eliminate the occurrence of BHD in this community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John T Martin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Alexander L Hornung
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Sheila J Toro
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Nadeen O Chahine
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Aaron J Fields
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California in San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Rahul Gawri
- Department of Surgery, The Orthopaedic Research Laboratory Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room C10.148.2, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Morgan B Giers
- School of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - Lachlan J Smith
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Simon Y Tang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Uruj Zehra
- Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Lisbet Haglund
- Department of Surgery, The Orthopaedic Research Laboratory Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room C10.148.2, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
| | - Dino Samartzis
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Building, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- International Spine Research and Innovation Initiative, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Täuber S, Oliveri NF, Kostakopoulou D, Mahmoudi M. Breaking the silence around academic harassment. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:2337-2344. [PMID: 36052874 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
It is time to hold every member of the scientific community responsible and 'response able' in addressing/reporting academic harassment. Stop applauding academic stars on the podium prior to checking what is happening underneath!
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Täuber
- Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nancy F Oliveri
- Pediatrics, Medicine, and Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Morteza Mahmoudi
- Department of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|