The Green Economy Research Centre seminar series started the term with a lunch session about predatory publishers. Dr. Flurina Wartmann, Lecturer in Geography and Environment, explained how to spot predatory publishers - those publishers who charge for publishing scientific articles without providing the services of organising a serious peer-review and editorial work we would expect those fees to cover. Consequently, predatory publishers allow poor-quality research to be published and seriously jeopardise scientific credibility. Most importantly, the session included strategies about how to avoid becoming prey - also when the predators are continuously evolving. The online session concluded with small-group discussions among PGR students and staff members. Raising awareness amongst both early career researchers as well as established academics was highlighted as a key step!
How to spot predatory publishers and avoid becoming their prey