COPE strategy 2025-2028

The strategic plan is the culmination of lengthy and wide ranging discussions with COPE Trustees and Council Members where we analysed our remit in an increasingly evolving publication landscape; hearing from, and listening to, our members; and the issues and concerns that have been raised in the wider scholarly community. It is ambitious and, we hope, impactful, and reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of both our members and the scholarly community, while achieving excellence in all areas of our organisation.

Our strategic direction is anchored in a clear vision of one in which ethical practice in scholarly research and its publication is the norm. To achieve this we aim to provide expert guidance to uphold the integrity of the scholarly record by:

• providing support and education to empower stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the publication process and published record and take corrective action where necessary
• actively bringing together stakeholders to explore and provide solutions to the challenges arising in publication ethics
• providing leadership and an unbiased expert voice in publication ethics.

These guiding principles will help us navigate the challenges ahead and align our efforts towards shared goals.

The strategic plan outlines several key goals that will drive our initiatives:

1. Integrity: We will be proactive and responsive, and will articulate clear ethical principles.
2. Education: Guidance, Advice, Support: We will provide education and support to empower stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the publication process and published record.
3. Collaboration: Engage, Outreach, Listen: We will actively listen to and bring together stakeholders to explore and provide solutions to the challenges arising in publication ethics.
4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Accessibility: Participate, Support, Understand: We will nurture and represent broader and more diverse scholarly publishing communities.

We urge you to read the strategic plan which outlines more detail on the goals and the objectives we have determined to meet them. Over the coming weeks and months we will share more detail on each of the goals: why these were selected as being of strategic importance; the objectives to support them; and the actions we will take to achieve them.   

Your involvement will be crucial as we move forward to implement these goals; working with us on achieving these objectives for the benefit of the community. Together, we can make sure that research publishing is done in an honest and ethical way. Your input and assistance is essential in making this happen.

Daniel Kulp COPE Chair, Nancy Chescheir COPE Vice chair, Natalie Ridgeway, Executive Officer 

COPE strategic plan