How BCPHR separates publisher from journal, and how editorial authority flows.
BCPH (the publisher) and BCPHR (the journal) are two distinct roles. The Editors-in-Chief hold full authority over editorial content. The publisher does not direct editorial decisions.
BCPHR is published by the Boston Congress of Public Health (BCPH), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The publisher and the journal have separate authority structures: BCPH provides infrastructure, financial sustainability, and brand stewardship; BCPHR's editorial team holds full authority over scholarly content. This page describes how that separation is maintained, who makes which decisions, and how BCPHR protects editorial independence.
Publishers and journals are sometimes the same organization, but they perform different functions. BCPH (the publisher) provides the infrastructure that makes BCPHR possible, but does not influence which manuscripts are accepted, which reviewers are chosen, or how editorial decisions are made. The Editors-in-Chief have full authority over the entire editorial content of BCPHR and the timing of publication of that content.
Hold final authority over all editorial decisions. Approve acceptances, rejections, and revisions. Set editorial direction. Cannot be overruled by the publisher on editorial content.
Lead special and topic editions. Reach out to subject matter experts. Manage editorial review of submissions in their area. Recommend decisions to Editors-in-Chief.
Oversee day-to-day editorial operations. Conduct initial review of submissions. Ensure submission guidelines are followed. Coordinate communication between authors, reviewers, and editors.
Shepherd individual manuscripts through peer review. Assign reviewers. Synthesize reviewer comments. Recommend decisions to Editors-in-Chief.
Recognized experts in public health subject areas. Provide strategic guidance. Review the journal's direction periodically. Members are listed on the Editorial Board page with affiliations and ORCIDs.
Senior advisors who investigate allegations of research misconduct (per the Allegations of Misconduct process). Three members convene as an investigation committee when concerns arise.
Editors evaluate submitted manuscripts exclusively on the basis of their academic merit (importance, originality, study validity, clarity) and their relevance to the journal's mission and vision (scope and aims), without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, citizenship, religious belief, political philosophy, or institutional affiliation.
Decisions to edit and publish are not determined by the policies of governments, the publisher, or any other agencies outside of BCPHR. The Editors-in-Chief have full authority over the entire editorial content of BCPHR and the timing of publication of that content.
The publisher does not see manuscripts before publication. The publisher does not select reviewers. The publisher does not approve or veto editorial decisions. The publisher does not direct what topics the journal covers. If a tension arises between the publisher's interests and editorial integrity, editorial integrity wins.
Peer reviewers who submit at least four exemplary reviews may be invited (or may submit an inquiry) to join the editorial board of BCPHR. Editors generally begin as associate editors, shepherding manuscripts through the editorial process. Associate editors may be promoted to deputy editor and managing editor positions over time. Detailed information about becoming an editor is available on the Join the Team page.
Authors retain rights to their work. All BCPHR manuscripts are freely available without charge. Users may read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to full texts without prior permission from the publisher or author.
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