COPE was established to provide advice and guidance on best practice for dealing with ethical issues in journal publishing, aimed primarily at editors and publishers of scholarly journals, but now includes universities and research institutes, and organisations and individuals involved in publication ethics..
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–– Constitution
–– Officers
–– Council
Constitution
COPE is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee in the UK and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 3 October 2007. COPE is also a registered charity (1123023). COPE’s principal Objects are "to educate and advance knowledge in methods of safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly record for the benefit of the public". COPE’s income is derived mainly from membership subscription fees from its members – journal editors, publishers, universities and research institutes, and organisations and individuals involved in publication ethics. The Trustees reports and financial statements are publicly available.
Code of Ethics
COPE's code of ethics for the Trustee Board and Council members are based on eight principles:
- organisational purpose
- leadership
- integrity
- decision making, risk and control
- board effectiveness
- diversity
- openness and accountability
- COPE's mission
Trustee Board
COPE is governed by the Trustee Board (maximum of 12) which is responsible for the financial, legal and business operations of COPE as a charitable business, and gives authority to Council and the Executive Office to manage the operational activities of the organisation.
It meets at least four times a year and is led by the Chair.
The Trustee Board consists of the Officers (Chair, Chair-elect, Vice-chair, Secretary, and Treasurer), the immediate Past Chair, elected members, and co-opted members. Members of the Trustee Board are Trustees under charity legislation and Directors of the limited company under company law. Trustees, along with Council Members, are also Constitutional Members under company law. The Officers are elected by the Constitutional Members. Trustees are elected by the general membership of COPE.
The biographies and conflict of interest declarations of the Trustees are posted on the COPE website. Conflicts of interest statements are required to be declared on a yearly basis. In addition, potential or actual conflicts of interests are required to be declared at the beginning of each Trustee Board and Council meeting. These declarations are minuted and the member must remove themselves from discussions on items where they have a competing interest.
Trustees are volunteers, without remuneration, except for travel, accommodation and other necessary expenses incurred in carrying out COPE business, according to COPE’s expenses policy.
Officers
The Chair is Daniel Kulp, whose term is May 2021 to May 2024. The Chair leads meetings of Council and is Chair of the Trustee Board.
The Chair is supported by three other Officer positions: Vice-chair Nancy Chescheir, Secretary Tara Hoke, and Treasurer Michael Wise.
Officers serve a term of three years with the possibility of a further term of three years if re-elected.
Council
COPE Council is elected by the COPE membership. Elections for vacancies on Council are held annually if positions are available. Council is responsible for the operational activities of COPE, and Council Members are Constitutional Members of COPE under company law. Council is divided into subcommittees that have been authorised by the Trustee Board to undertake COPE activities. Council meets up to three times a year.
The biographies and conflict of interest declarations of the Council Members are posted on the COPE website. Potential or actual conflicts of interest statements are required to be declared on a yearly basis. In addition, potential or actual conflicts of interests are required to be declared at the beginning of each Trustee Board and Council meeting. These declarations are minuted and the member must remove themselves from discussions on items where they have a competing interest.
Council members are volunteers, without remuneration, except for travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred in carrying out COPE business, according to COPE’s expenses policy.
Subcommittees
Council is divided into subcommittees that have been authorised by the Trustee Board to undertake COPE activities.
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Page last updated: 4 May 2021