Quality standards in scientific publishing, digital transformation, and current publishing approaches were assessed at the “Editors’ Meeting” held at Near East University.
Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, brought together important figures at its “Editors’ Meeting”, organized to address current developments in academic publishing and contribute to scientific production processes. The event, held in collaboration with the Digital Education and Information Unit (DEBİM), the Near East Research Innovation and Technology Area (NERITA), and the Social Research and Development Center, evaluated different dimensions of academic publishing by expert speakers.
The workshop, which brought together national and international experts in their fields, comprehensively addressed the current dynamics of academic publishing. Speakers included Prof. Dr. Rustam Shadiev from Zhejiang University, People’s Republic of China, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihrican Alyanç, Editor-in-Chief of Cyprus International University. TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM – EKUAL Senior Expert Ayşe Damla Çelik, TAGEM President Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay, and Near East University Academic Journal Coordinator Lecturer Murat Cem Acaralp made important assessments in line with their areas of expertise. Participants shared their knowledge and experience by addressing topics such as quality standards in academic publishing, international indexing processes, digital transformation, open access policies, and editorial management processes from different perspectives.
The workshop was moderated by DEBİM Deputy Director Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and NERITA President Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören; the opening speeches were delivered by Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt and DEBİM Director Prof. Dr. Sezer Kanbul.
Topics shaping academic publishing were assessed by expert speakers…
Throughout the day-long workshop, Prof. Dr. Rustam Shadiev, in his presentation titled “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Article Writing, Editing, and Peer Review Processes: Boundaries, Ethical Principles, and Policy Approaches”, shared current approaches, ethical boundaries, and policy recommendations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in academic publishing with the participants. Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay, in her presentation titled “Effective Article Writing in Social and Human Sciences: Processes, Strategies, and Best Practices”, conveyed the steps to follow in producing high-quality scientific publications, effective writing strategies, and examples of successful applications.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihrican Aylanç, in her presentation titled “How to Choose a Reliable Journal? Academic Awareness Against Predatory Publishing”, emphasized the importance of researchers being able to correctly distinguish reliable journals and highlighted the need to increase awareness against unethical publishing activities. Murat Cem Acaralp, in his presentation titled “Academic Journal Management: Publishing and Marketing Strategies and Practices”, shared with the participants the methods applied in journal management processes, strategies to increase visibility, and current publishing practices. Finally, Ayşe Damla Çelik, in her presentation titled “Open Science Ecosystem and Open Access Practices: The TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM Experience”, made a significant contribution to the workshop by conveying the contributions of open access policies to scientific production and examples of their application.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt: “If we do not advocate for quality, science will not automatically become high-quality.”
Stating that the question of what knowledge is, how it is produced, and why it is trusted should be addressed from both an epistemological and ontological perspective, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, Vice Rector of Near East University, said that this issue should be at the center of scientific discussions. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Kurt also touched upon the approach of Jean-François Lyotard. Prof. Dr. Kurt stated that we are not living in an information age where a single truth prevails, but rather an age where information is pluralizing and the perception of reality is changing, and that this transformation directly affects academia.
Drawing attention to the role of editors, Prof. Dr. Kurt emphasized that it is not merely a technical task, saying, “Editing is an area of epistemological peer review and ontological responsibility”.He stated that editors play a critical role in determining which information will be accepted and which reality will be represented.
Prof. Dr. Kurt said that artificial intelligence, open science, predatory publishing, and ethical debates have made the academic world more complex, adding, “The real question now is, is it more difficult to produce knowledge or to distinguish true knowledge?” Emphasizing that scientific production requires not only methodological but also intellectual responsibility, Prof. Dr. Kurt said, “If we do not advocate for quality, science will not automatically become high-quality.”
Prof. Dr. Sezer Kanbul: “We aim to create a strong academic publishing environment and develop lasting collaborations by bringing together all the editors on our island.”
Stating that scientific publishing is directly related to editorial processes, DEBİM Director Prof. Dr. Sezer Kanbul said, “Today, we have come together to address the editorial processes at the heart of academic publishing, the quality of scientific production, and ethical principles.” Emphasizing that the “Editors’ Meeting” is not just a meeting, Prof. Dr. Kanbul stated that it is also an important step aimed at improving quality in the processes of producing, evaluating, and disseminating scientific knowledge.
Emphasizing that scientific publishing forms the backbone of the academic world, Prof. Dr. Kanbul stated that the healthy progress of this process is possible thanks to the dedicated work, ethical sensitivity, and academic rigor of the editors. Touching upon plans for the continuation of the event, Prof. Dr. Kanbul said, “We see this meeting as a beginning.” Stating that they aim to hold the second meeting in May hosted by Kyrenia University, he said, “We aim to create a strong academic publishing environment and develop lasting collaborations by bringing together all the editors on our island.”
