Information for editors

Innovation & Transformation

Building a stronger publishing future through innovation and transformation. 

The rapidly evolving publishing landscape.

Over the past decade, scholarly publishing has been reshaped by the increase in global research output, the growth of open access and funder mandates, the sharp rise in AI powered content, and increasingly complex research integrity risks. Expectations for faster, more transparent and more equitable peer review and publication continue to increase, driving the need for publishing systems that are consistent, scalable and resilient, while protecting scholarly quality and editorial independence.

Digital and data-driven technologies, including manuscript screening, workflow automation and the responsible use of AI, are reshaping journal operations at every stage. This is helping deliver a faster and more efficient experience for authors, supporting editors and reviewers as submissions grow, and strengthening research integrity.

To sustain and support quality editorial work in this environment, our processes and infrastructure must be robust, consistent, built for continuous improvement and able to harness technological enhancements, without adding burden for editors, authors or societies.

How we’re transforming for scalable growth, quality and integrity.

As the world’s largest independent academic publisher, Sage has the freedom to think long term. As a result, we have been investing in new technologies and innovations for over six decades and we continue apace in 2026.   

Against the backdrop of accelerating change and continued growth in research output, we have a clear vision to advance our systems and services to put our journals in the strongest possible position for the future.   We are implementing a long-term, transformational program of work to strengthen the infrastructure around scholarly publishing, enabling our editorial partners to focus on what matters most: research quality, integrity, and impact.

Through the implementation of aligned standards, we will ensure high quality and reliable services, delivering consistent, transparent, and fair processes for editors and authors while reducing unnecessary variation and uncertainty, resulting in improved quality of published content. Crucially, standard-led improvement work also enable us to harness technology and automation in innovative ways to support editors and enhance our publishing processes We will also be using continuous improvement practices to optimize our journal processes, so they are faster, clearer, and less burdensome.

Our Optimization Operations team works in partnership with Editorial, Peer Review and Production departments to plan and deliver new standards and processes that evolve and strengthen our journals program. 

What this transformative work means for our partners

Crucially, introducing standards and optimizing journal processes helps facilitate and support the work of our publishing partners. It will result in:

• Protection and support for editorial independence. It is designed to strengthen the systems around editorial decision-making, enabling editors, editorial boards and societies to focus on scholarly judgement, not administration.
• More time and capacity for editors and reviewers to focus on high-quality submissions rather than assessing low‑quality or flawed submissions
• Scaling support to keep pace with the growth of submissions in an AI-enabled research environment.
• Support for the day-to-day running of journals through consistent, transparent and fair processes, less unnecessary variation and operational friction, and better tools and automation
• More efficient and smooth experience for authors and reviewers
• Additional room for editors and societies to focus on what only you can do: building journal strategy, engaging with your communities, shaping scope, developing content, and upholding rigorous peer review and research integrity.

Our Peer Review, Production and Editorial teams are collaborating closely on these transformational activities, and you will start to hear more frequently from your Publishing Editor, Content Manager, or Peer Review team to explain how the implementations will benefit your journal. We commit to being clear on what improvements look like, what you’ll gain from the changes and what we need from you to help prepare your journal to thrive in the coming years.

Sage is investing in strong foundations to help your journal thrive as the publishing ecosystem evolves. While change can sometimes be challenging, in working closely together we can ensure the continued strength, sustainability, and success of your journal. Thank you for your continued engagement and collaboration, we look forward to continuing this journey together.