Will string of science scandals ruin century-old journal Nature’s reputation in China?
Chinese academic watchdogs and online detectives are exposing growing numbers of problematic papers in Nature journals
For decades, publishing a paper in Nature was regarded as the ultimate academic achievement in China – a fast track to promotions, research grants, hospital appointments and elite national talent programmes.
Over the past two months, Chinese social media platforms have been flooded with accusations targeting papers published in Nature and its subsidiaries, including Nature Cancer, Nature Cell Biology and Nature Nanotechnology. Several of the accused authors are prominent professors, deans, “national talent” scholars and scientists with top state honours.
The South China Morning Post contacted Springer Nature about the allegations and its operations in Greater China.
In an email received after publication time, Springer Nature’s head of communications Michael Stacey said, “Concerns have been raised with us regarding five papers published in our journals. We are undertaking a rigorous investigation which is ongoing. Once this process is complete, we will take any appropriate action in line with our policies to protect the integrity of the scientific record.”