Policy for Editorial & Reviewer Board Members
Policy Statement
The International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) maintains an esteemed Editorial Board and Reviewer Board comprising distinguished experts from around the world. This policy outlines the roles, responsibilities, expectations, and ethical guidelines for all board members to ensure the highest standards of scholarly publishing.
Board Structure & Roles
IJOEAR has two distinct boards with specific responsibilities:
Editorial Board
Comprises senior researchers, professors, and subject matter experts who provide strategic guidance, oversee peer review, and contribute to journal development.
Strategic & Advisory RoleReviewer Board
Comprises active peer reviewers who regularly contribute high-quality reviews. Members are recognized for their review contributions and commitment to scholarly integrity.
Operational Role| Role | Position | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Editor-in-Chief | Journal head | Overall journal strategy, final decisions, policy oversight |
| Associate Editor | Section head | Manuscript assignment, reviewer selection, decision recommendations |
| Editorial Board Member | Advisor | Strategic advice, peer review, journal promotion, special issue proposals |
| Reviewer Board Member | Reviewer | Regular peer review, quality assurance, manuscript evaluation |
Appointment & Term
Appointment Process
- Nomination by current board members or Editor-in-Chief
- Self-nomination with CV and publication record
- Review by Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
- Approval by existing board for senior positions
- Formal invitation and acceptance letter
Term Duration
- Editorial Board: 3-year term, renewable
- Reviewer Board: 2-year term, renewable
- Editor-in-Chief: 5-year term, renewable
- Annual performance review for all positions
- Automatic renewal unless resignation or removal
Eligibility Criteria: PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, strong publication record in agriculture or environmental sciences, active research engagement, and commitment to ethical publishing practices.
Editorial Board Responsibilities
Advise on journal direction, scope, and development priorities.
Conduct peer review for at least 4-6 manuscripts per year.
Promote IJOEAR at conferences, institutions, and professional networks.
Propose and guest edit special issues on emerging topics.
Recommend qualified reviewers and early-career researchers.
Attend annual editorial board meeting (virtual or in-person).
Reviewer Board Responsibilities
Complete at least 6-8 high-quality reviews per year.
Submit reviews within 14 days of invitation acceptance.
Provide specific, actionable, and respectful comments to authors.
Adhere to confidentiality and conflict of interest guidelines.
Mentor new reviewers as needed.
Keep keyword/expertise profile updated in journal system.
Ethical Obligations
All board members must adhere to the following ethical standards:
| Obligation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| COPE Compliance | Follow COPE guidelines for publication ethics and best practices |
| Editorial Independence | Decisions based solely on scholarly merit, free from commercial or personal influence |
| Confidentiality | Protect manuscript and reviewer confidentiality at all times |
| No Personal Gain | Not use position for personal advantage or to promote own work |
| Professional Conduct | Maintain respectful communication with authors, reviewers, and colleagues |
Conflict of Interest
Board members must disclose and manage conflicts of interest as follows:
Disclosure Required
- Submitting own manuscript to IJOEAR
- Manuscript from same institution
- Manuscript from former student/advisor
- Financial interests in manuscript outcomes
- Personal relationships with authors
Required Action
- Recuse from handling own submissions
- Assign alternate editor for institutional submissions
- Decline review invitations with conflicts
- Disclose financial interests in COI statement
- Notify Editor-in-Chief of any potential bias
Confidentiality
Board members must maintain strict confidentiality regarding:
Manuscript Content
Do not share, copy, or distribute unpublished manuscripts
Reviewer Identities
Protect reviewer anonymity under double-blind review
Editorial Discussions
Do not disclose internal editorial deliberations
AI Prohibition: Board members must NOT upload manuscripts to any AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) as this violates confidentiality.
Benefits of Board Membership
Listed on journal website with profile and affiliation.
Annual certificate recognizing board contributions.
30% discount on Article Processing Charges for personal publications.
Access to COPE training and editorial workshops.
Connect with international experts in agriculture and environment.
Editorial board membership recognized in academic portfolios.
Removal from Board
Board membership may be terminated under the following circumstances:
| Reason | Process | |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivity (Editorial Board) | Failure to participate in peer review or board activities for 12 months | Written warning followed by removal if no response |
| Inactivity (Reviewer Board) | Declining >70% of review invitations or failing to complete accepted reviews for 6 months | Removal from board; may reapply after 1 year |
| Ethical Violation | Plagiarism, confidentiality breach, COI non-disclosure, or other misconduct | Immediate removal; possible publication ban |
| Voluntary Resignation | Personal or professional reasons | Accepted with notice; may rejoin later |
Frequently Asked Questions
Board Member Inquiries
For questions about board membership, applications, or board-related policies, please contact the editorial office.
+91-7665235235
Please include "BOARD MEMBERSHIP QUERY" in the email subject line. For applications, attach your CV and publication list.