Last updated: April 2026 · 7 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Introduction
Academic publishing changes slowly relative to other industries, but several trends in the past decade have substantially altered the author experience. This page surveys trends that are likely to affect submissions over the next several years.
None of these trends has fully arrived. All are uneven across fields, contested in some respects, and likely to evolve. The discussion below is descriptive, not predictive.
Five trends
| Trend | Status | Author implication |
|---|---|---|
| Open access dominance | Increasing across fields | More authors face APC questions |
| Preprint integration | Widely accepted; growing in coverage | Earlier citability via preprint deposit |
| AI in editorial workflow | Norms still forming; disclosure standard | Disclose AI use; do not list AI as author |
| Registered reports | Expanding beyond psychology | Pre-data review where applicable |
| Data / code availability | Increasingly required | Data availability statement standard; sharing expected |
What each trend means
Open access dominance
New journals launch as open access more often than as subscription. Established subscription journals increasingly add open-access options. Funder mandates push the trend further. The practical implication is that authors will increasingly face the APC question; learning the alternatives (subscription, diamond, low-APC, waivers) becomes more useful.
Preprint integration
Preprint deposit (arXiv, SSRN, bioRxiv, ChemRxiv, others) is now widely accepted at most reputable journals. Some journals integrate preprint deposit directly into submission. The practical use: deposit a preprint at submission for an immediately citable version while peer review continues.
AI in editorial workflow
Authors using AI for writing assistance are now expected to disclose. Reviewers using AI to evaluate manuscripts may face restrictions (publishers worried about confidentiality). The norms are still settling, but disclosure has become standard at major publishers and not disclosing where used is treated as a transparency issue.
Registered reports
Registered reports submit the methodology for peer review before data collection. The article is accepted on the methodology's strength regardless of result. The format is growing in psychology and medicine and being piloted elsewhere; it directly addresses replication concerns.
Data and code availability
Decision guidance
Authors should anticipate trends rather than react to them. Practical actions: deposit preprints, set up ORCID, use a reference manager, learn about institutional transformative agreements, and prepare data and code for sharing. None requires immediate change but each becomes more useful over time.
Example scenarios
Scenario: a master's student starting a project
Students starting new projects today should plan from the beginning for open-access publication, data sharing, and preprint deposit. Building these into the workflow from the start is far cheaper than retrofitting them at submission.
Scenario: a PhD researcher considering registered reports
Researchers whose research design is settled and whose methodology is sound can submit registered reports where available. The format guarantees acceptance based on methodology, removing some publication-decision uncertainty. Available journals are growing but still limited.
Scenario: an early-career researcher using AI tools
AI use in writing should be disclosed per the target journal's policy. Most policies allow AI for grammar, clarity, and translation but not as an author. Disclosure does not penalise authors; failing to disclose can be treated as a misconduct issue.
What to do next
Stay informed but do not over-react. Most fundamentals — peer review, indexing, scope fit — remain stable. Authors targeting EP Journals Group venues can submit through the central form.
Frequently asked questions
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Related reading and next steps
- Submission portal — Submit a manuscript through the central form
- Journals list — Six peer-reviewed journals across disciplines
- Understanding open access
- How to publish a research paper
- Open access vs subscription
- Publishing in engineering
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org