Recommendation 1/2023, of 16th May, concerning multiple affiliations in scientific journals
From The Embassy of Good Science
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Recommendation 1/2023, of 16th May, concerning multiple affiliations in scientific journals
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What is this about?
Recommendation 1/2023 (16 May 2023) addresses concerns about the practice of declaring multiple institutional affiliations in scientific publications, especially when such affiliations may not reflect where the research was actually conducted, supported, or formally authorised. It was issued by the Committee for the Integrity of Research in Catalonia (CIR-CAT) following referrals about some high-profile researchers who appeared to list affiliations with foreign institutions without clear evidence that those institutions provided substantial research support, possibly for reputational or ranking advantages. The committee emphasises that affiliation and authorship are integral to scientific publications and should truthfully represent formal ties and contributions. Misleading or fraudulent affiliations can undermine good scientific practice, distort institutional credit, and damage trust in research. The recommendation calls on institutions to investigate reported cases internally, ensure compliance with contractual and legal obligations, engage with journals to correct unjustified affiliations, and strengthen internal policies and communication on ethical affiliation practices.
Why is this important?
This recommendation is important for researchers and authors, who are responsible for declaring truthful and ethically justified institutional affiliations in scientific publications. It is also crucial for universities and research institutions, as affiliations directly affect institutional reputation, visibility, rankings, and accountability for research outputs. Research integrity offices and ethics committees rely on such guidance to investigate concerns, enforce good scientific practice, and develop clear internal policies. Journal editors and academic publishers benefit by using the recommendation to assess, verify, and, when necessary, correct misleading affiliation claims. Finally, funding agencies and research evaluators depend on accurate affiliation information to ensure fair evaluation, responsible research assessment, and appropriate allocation of research funding.
