Editorial Responsibilities

ACEE’s editorial team upholds rigorous oversight to preserve scientific quality, ethical standards, and fairness in publication. Each editor plays a distinct but complementary role in delivering transparent, accountable decision-making aligned with global principles for open access publishing.

Strategic & Quality Oversight

  • The Editor‑in‑Chief guides the journal’s overall vision, ensures integrity of published content, and bears final responsibility for editorial decisions.
  • Associate and handling editors assess scope alignment, scientific novelty, and methodological rigor, making recommendations on suitability for peer review.
  • Academic editors evaluate reviewer feedback, assess revisions, and make independent publication decisions based on scholarly merit and journal criteria. When disagreeing with reviewer recommendations, editors provide justification for final decisions. 

Ethical Vigilance & Integrity

  • All editorial staff monitor submissions for ethical compliance, including plagiarism checks and conflict-of-interest screening prior to review. 
  • Suspected misconduct—such as data fabrication or redundant publication—is investigated per ACEE's Ethics & Malpractice framework, with corrective actions taken as necessary.
  • Editors recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists to ensure impartiality. 

Peer Review Oversight

  • Ensure fair double-blind peer review by selecting qualified, unbiased reviewers suited to the manuscript’s domain.
  • Monitor review timelines and follow up to maintain efficiency and reliability in decision-making. 
  • Evaluate the quality and relevance of reviewer comments, ensuring feedback is constructive, evidence-based, and respectful.

Transparent Communication & Appeals

  • Communicate editorial decisions clearly and promptly at each review stage.
  • Provide authors with guidance on grounds for decision, and support appeals with impartial review by senior editors when authors present valid justification. 

Board Supervision & Development

  • Maintain regular engagement with the editorial board to ensure consistent policy understanding, performance oversight, and journal planning. 
  • Provide training for new editorial members and update board participation expectations in line with evolving standards.

Editorial Independence & Integrity

Editorial decisions are made free from commercial, political, or institutional pressure. The academic judgment of editors and reviewers remains safeguarded. 

Quality Assurance

Editors ensure that published content adheres to ACEE standards—covering originality, technical accuracy, data transparency, and ethical compliance. They facilitate timely corrections and maintain alignment with code of practices.