The concept of academic freedom is linked to the ability of academics to express their results irrespectively of their conclusions. However, while scholars may have the theoretical capability to publish their work wherever they want to, in reality the hiring, promotion, tenure and funding policies of universities and agencies impose a major constraint on how and where academics publish.<br/>A major problem when trying to publish in high rank journals is how fashionable the research is. In many cases, publishers aim to boost their journals impact, at the risk of retraction, by publishing the sexiest research possible. Yet, in these days the highest achievements in Science rely in multidisciplinary approaches and editors in most cases are unfamiliar with the different concepts and analyses presented. As a consequence they tend to either plainly reject manuscripts not endorsed by top scientist or delegate decisions after external reviews on the members of their editorial committee. It is, however, quite frequent in specific fields, that editorial boards and reviewers’ panels are coped by “Science Aristocrats” owners of the “truth”. Then, no matter how rigorous a manuscript might be or how important its content is, there is a high risk of rejection based in no, or in otherwise strongly opinionated arguments, which in many cases are not substantiated and cannot be properly judged by the editors.<br/>This can happen once and again and if someone strongly believes in his work, the last resort to overcome these hurdles is persistence. First, one has to make his work available to wider audience using preprints, to speed the dissemination and enhance the rigor of the work. Then, to keep fighting for publication employing all arguments and resources available up to succeed.<br/>A fundamental reform of scholarly publishing is essential and urgent. The advancement of Science and the scientists lives themselves should not be jeopardized by editors’ censorship and by narrow-minded promotion or funding committees. Interim research products must be cited anywhere other research products are cited and should be taken in consideration in their own value.<br/>

Facing scientific aristocracy in publishing multidisciplinary research

254th National Meeting (2017)

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