In this post, Lorraine Estelle from Think. Check. Submit. details the constant threat of untrustworthy publishers and announces the launch of a new Spanish-language video designed to communicate effective checking strategies for researchers submitting their work.
In the ever-evolving world of academic publishing, one troubling constant persists across borders: the threat of untrustworthy publishers. Often referred to as predatory publishers, these exploitative entities attract unsuspecting researchers with false promises. They frequently charge fees while offering little to no editorial oversight, peer review, or genuine academic value. The consequences are serious: compromised research, wasted resources, and tarnished reputations.
Predatory publishing is not confined to any one country or academic community. It is a truly international problem. But it is precisely this global scope that has inspired an equally global response.
Empowering researchers through education
At the forefront of this effort is Think. Check. Submit., a trusted initiative offering free tools and guidance to help researchers identify reputable journals and publishers. Since its launch, Think. Check. Submit. has become a go-to resource for scholars worldwide, equipping them with the critical questions to ask before submitting their work.
The heart of the initiative is its straightforward checklists—clear, practical guides that walk researchers through key steps to evaluate whether a journal or publisher is trustworthy. These checklists are available in 56 languages for journals, and in 26 languages for books and book chapters, thanks to the efforts of an extraordinary network of international volunteer translators.
This translation work isn’t just about accessibility—it’s about equity. By making resources available in so many languages, Think. Check. Submit. ensures that researchers from all regions can protect the integrity of their work.
A growing concern in South America
One region where the need for these resources is becoming especially urgent is South America. Our colleagues there have highlighted a concerning rise in predatory publishing practices targeting researchers. That’s why we are especially pleased to announce the launch of a new Spanish-language animated video, designed to bring the core principles of Think. Check. Submit. to life in a concise and memorable way.
This engaging video distils the most important tips every researcher should keep in mind before submitting their work, such as checking who is on the editorial board, whether the journal provides clear contact information, and whether it is indexed in legitimate databases.
Watch the video here:
A collaborative effort
The Spanish-language video would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Ivonne Lujano, Community Manager & Ambassador for Latin America at the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Ivonne’s commitment has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Her efforts reflect the spirit of collaboration that powers Think. Check. Submit.—a global initiative strengthened by local volunteers.
The video is just the latest example of how our network of volunteers is working to bridge linguistic and geographic divides. Each translation, whether it’s a checklist or a multimedia resource, is a powerful tool in the global fight against predatory publishing.
How you can help
Institutions, publishers, and librarians play a crucial role in amplifying these tools. We encourage libraries, universities, research institutes, and publishers—especially those serving Spanish-speaking communities—to help raise awareness by embedding a link to the new video on their websites, library guides, and training materials.
You can also share the video on social media, use it in presentations or webinars, and include it in researcher training programs. The more visibility we give these resources, the more researchers we can empower to make informed choices about where to publish.
A global movement for academic integrity
Think. Check. Submit. is more than just a checklist—it’s a call to action. It asks researchers to pause and reflect before submitting their work, and to engage critically with the publishing process. And most importantly, it shows what we can accomplish when we come together across languages, borders, and disciplines.
So wherever you are in the world, we invite you to use and share these tools to help ensure that every researcher, everywhere, has the knowledge they need to publish with confidence.
Lorraine Estelle manages operations and communications for Think. Check. Submit. She has experience collaborating with various publishers, societies, and academic libraries. Lorraine is also a co-editor of the open access journal Insights: the UKSG journal.
