Fraudulent Publishing in Mathematics: A European Call to Action and How Information Infrastructure Can Help
This is a call to action for the European mathematical community to address fraudulent publishing, but it is an opinion piece rather than a research contribution.
The paper discusses the erosion of trust in mathematical research due to fraudulent publishing practices, and proposes that Europe can lead a structural response using open science policies, mature infrastructures, and community-led diamond open access, with zbMATH Open as a quality signal.
The IMU-ICIAM working group's new report on Fraudulent Publishing in the Mathematical Sciences documents how gaming of bibliometrics, predatory outlets and paper-mill activity are eroding trust in research, mathematics included. This short EMS note brings that analysis home to Europe. We urge readers to recognise the warning signs of fraudulent publishing, to report serious irregularities so that they can be investigated and sanctioned, and to reflect critically on their own editorial and reviewing practices. We then sketch why Europe is well placed to lead a structural response: a decade of policy development on open science; mature infrastructures for data, software and scholarly communication; and new capacity for community-led diamond open access. Finally, we outline developments towards non-print contributions across member countries including the growth of formal proofs (e.g. with Lean and Isabelle) and we highlight the role of zbMATH Open as a European quality signal that can help editors, reviewers and authors steer clear of problematic venues.