The panel, moderated by Stephanie Lovegrove Hansen (VP of Marketing at Silverchair), features Julia McDonald (Director of Journals Product at Oxford University Press), Tiago Barros (Co-founder of Signals), Adam Day (CEO and Founder of Clear Skies), and Joris van Rossum (Product Director at STM Integrity Hub).
Setting the Stage
As Stephanie Lovegrove Hansen noted in her introduction, "The research integrity discussion has become increasingly urgent in recent years, thanks in large part to increasingly advanced methods for fraud and manipulation enabled by AI tools." While peer review remains the foundational defense, publishers now need technology assistance to scale these efforts effectively.Starting Smart
When considering research integrity solutions, Julia McDonald emphasized the importance of clarity: "You have to be really clear what you're trying to achieve in the first place." This understanding should inform whether you build in-house solutions, purchase existing tools, or form strategic partnerships.The panel recommended evaluating:
- Your organization's specific expertise
- Areas where external specialists can add value
- Strategic fit with potential partners
- Credibility and maturity level of solutions
Technology and Human Expertise: Finding Balance
A key theme emerged around the balance between technology and human expertise. While advanced detection tools are crucial for flagging problematic submissions early in the process, the panel emphasized that technology alone isn't sufficient. Educational initiatives, workflow audits, and strong editorial practices remain essential components of a comprehensive integrity strategy.The Arms Race
The discussion highlighted how publishers face an "arms race" against sophisticated paper mills and other bad actors who continuously adapt their methods. This creates a challenging environment where detection capabilities must constantly evolve, yet without creating information overload for editorial teams. As Adam Day noted, the goal is to provide just enough information to make quick decisions without overwhelming users with excess data.The Power of Collaboration
Collaboration emerged as perhaps the most powerful tool available. The STM Integrity Hub exemplifies this approach, bringing together publishers, technology providers, and research integrity specialists to share knowledge and develop standardized approaches. These collaborative efforts have already demonstrated tangible results in identifying problematic submissions before they enter the peer review process.Moving Forward
As research integrity challenges continue to evolve, the panel agreed that addressing the underlying incentive structures remains difficult. However, through thoughtful pilot programs, strategic partnerships, and community-wide knowledge sharing, publishers can implement effective safeguards while working toward more systemic solutions that involve all stakeholders in the research ecosystem.Watch the full recording here or visit the Platform Strategies page to sign up for upcoming events or view other recordings.