Academy of Science of SA releases updated Code on excellence in scholarly publishing
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has published the third version of its guidebook to ensuring excellence, integrity and transparency in scholarly publication. The original was published in 2004 and the revised second edition in 2018. The latest update is entitled the “Revised Code of Best Practice in Scholarly Journal Publishing, Editing, and Peer Review”.
“This 2025 revision reflects the evolving landscape of academic publishing and responds to emerging challenges, including the rise of digital publishing, the use of [AI], the growing emphasis on open access, data transparency, and the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion in scholarship,” explained the ASSAf. “The updated code provides practical, comprehensive guidance for all stakeholders in scholarly publishing – editors, reviewers, authors, and publishers – covering key areas such as editorial independence, peer review, governance, ethical responsibilities, and adherence to evolving policies and regulations.”
The process of revising and updating the Code was commenced by the National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF). It was executed by a dedicated working group formed by NSEF volunteers. The draft was widely circulated within the NSEF for comment. The final iteration received the endorsement of the Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa in May. It received ASSAf Council approval in June, and has now been released.
“This collaborative effort underscores ASSAf’s and the scholarly community’s commitment to fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and – critically – trust in research and academic publishing,” affirmed the ASSAf. “By upholding the principles outlined in the Code, stakeholders ensure that scholarly research remains credible, rigorous, and [of] enduring value to society.”
The revised document is available on the ASSAf’s website.
Comments
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation