Jerry Dworkin points out to me that CHE has gotten a copy of a statement from the editor of Hypatia, Sally Scholz (Villanova). It is a very good statement, for which Prof. Scholz is to be commended:
From the Editor of Hypatia:
As Editor of an academic journal that espouses pluralism and diversity, I believe that Hypatia should publish on a wide array of topics employing a wide array of methodologies. I believe that a community of scholars should contest concepts and engage in dialogue within the pages of the journal to advance our collective project of educating—students and ourselves. I believe that an academic journal is not a blog or a discussion board.
I firmly believe, and this belief will not waver, that it is utterly inappropriate for editors to repudiate an article they have accepted for publication (barring issues of plagiarism or falsification of data). In this respect, editors must stand behind the authors of accepted papers. That is where I stand. Professor Tuvel’s paper went through the peer review process and was accepted by the reviewers and by me.
The Associate Editorial board acted independently in drafting and posting their statement. That board is a policy board and plays no role in the day to day management of the Journal.
Since April 30, I have been working with the publisher, Wiley, to respond responsibly and appropriately. We have consulted with the corporation which owns Hypatia and, together, we are proceeding to refer the situation to Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for guidance.
Sally J. Scholz, PhD
Her singular clarity about her obligations as editor and the rights & wrongs of this matter make a stunning contrast with the obfuscation, rationalization and dodging of the issues we have seen from so many: the Associate Editors, the philosophers who signed the "Open Letter," Lisa Guenther, Sally Haslanger, Mark Lance, Amy Olberding, and so many others. Kudos to Professor Scholz, who may have singlehandedly salvaged the journal''s reputation and integrity from the efforts of so many to destroy it.
UPDATE: Philosopher Graham Oddie (Colorado) kindly shared with me this assessment that he posted on Facebook:
Yesterday those who initiated and fomented the social media destruction of Professor Tuvel announced (via social media) that social media is *not*, after all, the appropriate venue for all this. They now want everyone to stop talking about the Tuvel case on social media, and focus instead on some of their other complaints. (A mob of bullies in the playground starts picking on someone. When a few others stand up to them they whine "No fair! You're picking on us! *Leave the playground now!* or we will tell on you!") But happily the editor of Hypatia has spoken up, and she has rejected this juvenile nonsense. She stands by her review process and her decision to publish. She should be congratulated. She has sent a strong message that schoolyard bullies will not necessarily get their way.
Recent Comments