Policies & Standards
Ethics, transparency, and reproducibility are the foundation of every publication.
In short: we publish books, monographs, and conference proceedings in accordance with international ethical standards (COPE), with transparent peer review, clear copyright policies, and sustainable archiving. The journals we manage follow their own rules on their websites; this page contains ESS-Press policies for books and collections.
Manuscripts and all communication with the editorial office should be submitted only on the website of the relevant journal. See the policies/rules there. Here are the ESS-Press policies for books/monographs/collections.
Ethics & Integrity
COPE-aligned rules for publication ethics, transparency, and handling concerns.
1. Ethics & Integrity (COPE)
We prevent plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated or falsified data, unethical authorship, and undisclosed conflicts of interest. We follow COPE recommendations and document actions when concerns arise.
2. Conflicts of Interest (COI)
Authors, editors, and reviewers disclose relationships that could influence evaluation. When a conflict exists, manuscripts are reassigned to independent editors/reviewers.
3. AI Use & Disclosure
AI-assisted language editing may be permitted with disclosure. Generating or substituting data, images, or analysis without transparent labeling and verification is not allowed. Authors remain responsible for content.
4. Corrections & Retractions
We maintain the integrity of the version of record. Errors may be corrected via erratum/corrigendum; serious issues may require an expression of concern or retraction with transparent justification.
5. Complaints & Appeals
We accept and log complaints related to editorial decisions, ethics, deadlines, or service quality. We confirm receipt, communicate timelines, and may involve independent experts when needed.
Peer Review & Editorial Process
How editorial assessment is organized and what authors can expect.
6. Peer Review Policy
Our publications follow documented review models (e.g., double-blind where applicable). We require independent reviewer input and clear decision outcomes (accept / minor / major / reject), supported by point-by-point author responses for revisions.
Open Access, Copyright & Reuse
Licensing terms, author rights, reuse, permissions, and self-archiving.
7. Open Access & Self-Archiving
A terms differ by publication type. Self-archiving of accepted versions is permitted in repositories with DOI and a link to the version of record, subject to licensing conditions.
8. Copyright & Licensing
Authors retain copyright. Open access titles may use CC BY 4.0 (other options may be agreed). Third-party materials require permissions and correct attribution.
9. Permissions & Reuse
Guidance on what can be reused without permission, when permissions are required, and recommended request templates for third-party content (figures, tables, photos, extended excerpts).
Data, TDM & Transparency
Data availability expectations and responsible automated use of content.
10. Data Availability
We support open data whenever possible and ethical. Publications include a Data Availability Statement with repository links, identifiers, and access conditions; exceptions are documented.
11. Text & Data Mining (TDM)
We permit text and data mining for open content with attribution and DOI links. For large-scale automated downloads, please contact us for technical conditions.
Legal & User Rights
Website governance, privacy, accessibility, and user rights.
12. Privacy & Cookies
What data we collect, why we collect it, how long we retain it, and how you can exercise your rights (access, deletion, restriction).
13. Accessibility Statement
We strive for accessible content and WCAG-aligned practices, including readable layouts, alt text, and support for alternative formats upon request.
14. Terms & Conditions
Rules for using our website and services, including acceptable use and limitations.
15. Open Science
We are committed to Open Access and Open Science practices so that research outputs are findable, verifiable, and reusable.
Who should read what?
Website governance, privacy, accessibility, and user rights.
For authors
Before submission, review Open Access & Self-Archiving, Copyright & Licensing, Permissions & Reuse, and the key integrity policies (COI, AI disclosure).
For editors and organizers
Use Ethics & Integrity, Peer Review Policy, and Corrections & Retractions as the baseline for consistent decisions and transparent responses to concerns.
Questions about a policy or a concern to report?
Contact us and we will route your request to the appropriate team.