Fraudulent Publishing in Mathematics: A European Call to Action and How Information Infrastructure Can Help
Moritz Schubotz, Jan Philip SoloveJ
TL;DR
The paper addresses fraudulent publishing in mathematics, documenting how metrics manipulation, predatory outlets, and paper-mill activity erode trust. It translates the IMU-ICIAM report into a European context and advocates a structural response based on open-science infrastructures and community governance. Key contributions include detailing European policy frameworks (EOSC, EDCH, DIAMAS, SeDOA, Openjournals.nl) and developments in data, software, and formal proofs (MaRDI, swMATH, Lean/mathlib, Isabelle) that enable reproducibility and verification. It offers concrete actions for EMS members to reinforce quality signals (zbMATH Open) and steer the mathematics community toward safer, more transparent publishing practices.
Abstract
The IMU-ICIAM working group's new report on Fraudulent Publishing in the Mathematical Sciences documents how gaming of bibliometrics, predatory outlets and paper-mill activity are eroding trust in research, mathematics included. This short EMS note brings that analysis home to Europe. We urge readers to recognise the warning signs of fraudulent publishing, to report serious irregularities so that they can be investigated and sanctioned, and to reflect critically on their own editorial and reviewing practices. We then sketch why Europe is well placed to lead a structural response: a decade of policy development on open science; mature infrastructures for data, software and scholarly communication; and new capacity for community-led diamond open access. Finally, we outline developments towards non-print contributions across member countries including the growth of formal proofs (e.g. with Lean and Isabelle) and we highlight the role of zbMATH Open as a European quality signal that can help editors, reviewers and authors steer clear of problematic venues.