Membership application process changes

In 2023, COPE announced a comprehensive review of its membership application and assessment process. This initiative – conducted alongside our strategic discussions as we developed our new strategic plan –  was part of a broader reflection on COPE’s role in the evolving research and publication landscape. Our primary objective being to ensure the membership process aligns with COPE’s goals of supporting ethical publishing practices.

COPE recognises and acknowledges the tension that exists between COPE, as a membership organisation that provides guidance and advice to raise standards in publication ethics, and its perceived role as an organisation that ‘sets the standards’ that members must abide by.

COPE has undertaken a comprehensive review of its membership application process over the past 12 months. Key improvements include:

1. Clarifying expectations for potential members
2. Providing clearer website guidance
3. Streamlining the application form with clearer language
4. Developing consistent assessment criteria
5. Implementing continuous review post-membership
6. Improving efficiency and response times

COPE has now temporarily closed applications for new journals and publishers to implement these changes which allows time to set up the new system and for potential applicants to review updated requirements. We aim to reopen applications within a couple of months. Existing applications already submitted will continue to be assessed as normal. 

The new process will enhance transparency, efficiency, and alignment with COPE’s core values and objectives.