A look at Frontiers' Publishing Model and what editorial independence means to us.

1. Publishing Model and Editorial Independence
Frederick Fenter, Executive Editor

2. Points of discussion
(1) Community-based Journals
(2) Separation of editorial and publisher roles
(3) Objective threshold for article acceptance
(4) Roles and responsibilities of the Journal Managers do not include content
concerns
(5) Roles and responsibilities of the Editorial Boards (SCEs)
(6) Transparency and integrity

3. Separation of “Editorial” and “Publisher” roles
(WAME)
“The editor-in-chief’s primary responsibilities are to inform and educate
readers, with attention to the accuracy and importance of journal articles, and
to protect and strengthen the integrity and quality of the journal and its
processes.”
“Editorial decisions should be based on the validity of the work and its
importance to readers, not the policies or commercial success of the owner.
Editors should be free to publish critical but responsible views about all aspects
of medicine without fear of retribution.”

4. Editors-in-chief should have full authority over the editorial content of the
journal, generally referred to as "editorial independence.” Owners should not
interfere in the evaluation, selection, or editing of individual articles, either
directly or by creating an environment in which editorial decisions are strongly
influenced.
Separation of “Editorial” and “Publisher” roles
(WAME)

5. Traditional Journal
Prof. Rabton
OK !
?
?
?
?
?
R1
R2
AE1
AE2
AE3
Approved by Rabton

6. Having a strong Chief Editor is not a condition for an ethical Editorial Board Structure
WAME Ethical Guidelines

7. Frontiers Model
Prof. Steinfor
OK !
Stevens
Baum
Dali
Shin
Micheles
Approved by
Stevens, Baum and
Micheles

8. Frontiers Model
Prof. Steinfor
OK !
Stevens
Baum
Dali
Shin
Michales
Approved by
Stevens, Baum and
Micheles

9. Wall of Editorial Independence
EDITORS AND PLATFORM FRONTIERS
WALLOFEDITORIALINDEPENDENCE
CONTENT LOGISTICS
21st Century Editorial Office open 24 / 7 Build, maintain and develop the platform
Submissions alert for every paper
Build Editorial Boards / manage invitations
Access Terms and Conditions
GENERALCONCERNS
Marketing to all communities
Nomination of FCEs and SCEs
Define Terms and Conditions across all Fields

10. Wall of Editorial Independence
EDITORS AND PLATFORM FRONTIERS
WALLOFEDITORIALINDEPENDENCE
CONTENT LOGISTICS
Scope and Mission statement Publication of Mission statement
Proposal for article types
Act as brand ambassador
JOURNALOPERATIONS
Final decision on article types
JMs represent Frontiers at conferences
Set Article Processing Charges

11. Wall of Editorial Independence
EDITORS AND PLATFORM FRONTIERS
WALLOFEDITORIALINDEPENDENCE
CONTENT LOGISTICS
MS check upon submission (QC basics)AE selection: preferred, auto, or manual
RE selection: auto or manual
Independent interactive review
MANUSCRIPTEVALUATION
JM provide digests for urgent action
EOF provides advice and coordination
on ethical issues
Upon acceptance, article forwarded
for production
SCE oversight and intervention
Accept / Reject decision

12. Nature Publishing Group Peer-Review Process
“All submitted manuscripts are read by the editorial staff. To save time for authors
and peer-reviewers, only those papers that seem most likely to meet our editorial
criteria are sent for formal review. Those papers judged by the editors to be of
insufficient general interest or otherwise inappropriate are rejected promptly
without external review (although these decisions may be based on informal advice
from specialists in the field). Manuscripts judged to be of potential interest to our
readership are sent for formal review, typically to two or three reviewers, but
sometimes more if special advice is needed (for example on statistics or a particular
technique).
The editors then make a decision based on the reviewers' advice.”

13. Roles and Responsibilities of Journal Managers
(1) Implementing initiatives towards the achievement of journal targets and
procedures to ensure the quality of journals
(2) Ensuring that journal operations are run efficiently and that the Frontiers’ visions
and missions are adhered to
(3) Aligning of priorities within the program and timely reporting of issues to the
program manager
(4) Inspiring and providing guidance to team members towards better performance
and supporting their professional development
(5) Contributing to editorial office strategic plans, policies and new initiatives
(6) Representing frontiers in an official role at events

14. SCEs overseeing submissions
• Appointed trusted AEs
• Submission notification
• Micro-monitor
• Weekly digests (high throughput journals)
• Revoke/Assign Editors
• Invite additional Editors
• Acceptance notification
• Final validation check
• Dashboard overview (Fall 2015)

15. Submission notification

16. SCEs accessing
the review
forum
Reject manuscript
option
Manage editor
invitations
Invite additional
editors

17. Conclusions
Journals are community based
Assessment of content is in the hands of the editorial boards
Processes are in place and being reinforced with every new version