Complaints & Appeals
Routes for raising concerns about editorial process, service, conduct or decisions
QES Academic Press publisher-level policy and guidance.
QES Academic Press provides a fair route for complaints and appeals while protecting editorial independence and confidentiality.
Complaints
Complaints should identify the journal or publisher activity concerned, describe the issue clearly and provide relevant supporting information. Complaints are handled by a person who is not materially conflicted with the matter wherever practicable.
Editorial appeals
An author may appeal an editorial decision when there is a specific concern about process, material factual error or significant misunderstanding. Appeals must be reasoned and evidence-based and do not guarantee a change in decision.
Timelines
QES Academic Press aims to acknowledge complaints and appeals within five business days and to provide a substantive response within 30 calendar days where feasible. Complex cases may require longer; where this occurs, the complainant should receive an update.
Escalation
Where a matter cannot be resolved at journal level, it may be escalated to the publisher through ethics@qesacademicpress.com. Matters involving serious research misconduct may require referral to an institution, funder or other appropriate authority.