About COPE

COPE is committed to educate and support editors, publishers and those involved in publication ethics with the aim of moving the culture of publishing towards one where ethical practices becomes the norm, part of the publishing culture. Our approach is firmly in the direction of influencing through education, resources and support of our members alongside the fostering of professional debate in the wider community.

Best practice & guidance

Core practices are the policies and practices journals and publishers need, to reach the highest standards in publication ethics. Each area includes cases with advice, guidance, education and events.

View Resources

Advice

Members can submit cases to the quarterly Forum for discussion and advice. All the cases, together with advice from the Forum, are available to search by core practice.

View Cases

Education

Our eLearning course gives practical guidance on topics including: plagiarism, falsification, authorship, conflicts of interest and misconduct.

View eLearning

Authority

Our purpose is to ensure ethical practices become part of publishing culture. We speak about current debates and issues at events and in newsletters and articles.

View News & Opinions

Join the conversation

COPE encourages key groups in the scholarly publishing process to share their knowledge and ideas to ensure ethical practices become part of the culture itself.

Become a member
Come to an event
Add your voice
See past events

Over 20 years COPE has grown to support members worldwide from all academic fields, primarily editors but also publishers and related organisations and individuals. Following a period of consultation with the Trustees, the Council and feedback from our members we have developed the COPE strategic plan 2016-2018 striving to improve engagement with members and ensure COPE remains at the forefront of publication ethics.