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New Journal Challenges Traditional Scientific Publishing with Open Access and Public Peer Review
A newly launched journal is making waves in scientific publishing by promoting an open-access model and transparent public peer review. The Journal of the Academy of Public Health was co-founded by researchers, including Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, who previously questioned the U.S. approach to COVID-19, particularly under the Trump administration. This venture aims to disrupt traditional academic publishing norms.
Founders Advocate for Open Science
Martin Kulldorff, PhD, a co-founder alongside Bhattacharya, announced the journal’s mission on social media, stating it will be a platform where “good scientists can publish whatever their studies conclude.” In a detailed perspective outlining the journal’s rationale, Kulldorff criticized the current dominance of commercial publishers. He argued that universities are burdened with “an enormous amount of money for journals” despite scientists within those institutions freely providing both article content and peer review labor.
Kulldorff emphasized the high profitability of established scientific journal publishers, noting “huge profit margins reaching almost 40%.”
Journal’s Innovative Approach to Publishing
In contrast to conventional publishing practices, the Journal of the Academy of Public Health is committed to several key principles:
- Open Access: Ensuring research is freely available to all readers, removing paywalls.
- Public Peer Review: Implementing a transparent peer review process, making reviewer reports publicly accessible.
- Fair Compensation for Reviewers: Compensating experts for their peer review contributions, acknowledging their vital role in the publishing process.
- Streamlined Publication: Eliminating “article gatekeeping” to facilitate timely and efficient dissemination of scientific findings.
This novel framework is designed to empower scientists to “publish all their research results in a timely and efficient manner,” according to Kulldorff.
Editorial Board Featuring Noted Researchers
The journal’s editorial board comprises a diverse group of researchers, including individuals who have previously voiced dissenting opinions on COVID-19 strategies. Prominent members include:
- Scott Atlas, MD (Stanford University): A radiologist who served on President Trump’s COVID-19 advisory team, advocating for economic reopening.
- John Ioannidis, MD (Stanford University): Known for research challenging conventional COVID-19 narratives, including early estimates of infection fatality rates.
- Sunetra Gupta, PhD (University of Oxford): A co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which proposed a focused protection approach to the pandemic.
Controversies and Affiliations
Notably, Bhattacharya is currently listed as “on leave” from the journal. Marty Makary, MD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins University, another individual considered by the Trump administration for a leadership role at the FDA, also serves on the editorial board.
The launch of the Journal of the Academy of Public Health was facilitated by the RealClearFoundation, an organization described by some media outlets as having conservative backing.
Andrew Noymer, MSc, PhD, of the University of California Irvine, serves as Kulldorff’s co-editor in chief. Noymer has publicly supported Bhattacharya for a potential NIH leadership position in the past.
Skepticism from the Scientific Community
The new journal has faced skepticism within the broader scientific community. Concerns have been raised regarding its exclusivity, as publishing access is reportedly limited to members of the affiliated Academy of Public Health, with membership determined by existing members.
Carl Bergstrom, PhD, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Washington, expressed criticism on social media, suggesting the journal’s foundation is linked to broader agendas beyond academic freedom, referencing controversial figures and questioning the journal’s aims.
Bergstrom further alluded to potential inconsistencies regarding academic freedom, questioning whether the journal founders’ “passion” for it would extend to research areas they might disagree with, should they assume leadership roles in agencies like the NIH or FDA.
Initial Publications and Focus Areas
Despite the skepticism, the Journal of the Academy of Public Health has already published several articles in January. These initial publications include:
- Research suggesting limited effectiveness of masks in preventing COVID-19 spread in North Dakota schools.
- A peer review by Kulldorff of a study exploring a possible connection between aluminum in vaccines and asthma.
- A historical overview of public health co-authored by Kulldorff and Bhattacharya, titled “The COVID Vaccine Trials: Failures in Design and Interpretation.”
As of press time, the operational status of the Academy of Public Health, the journal’s potential parent organization, remains unclear, and Kulldorff had not responded to requests for comment.