Complaints and Appeals

Authors, reviewers, readers, and members of the public may raise concerns about any aspect of Synthēsis's editorial process, an individual editorial decision, or the conduct of an editor, reviewer, or author.

Step 1 — Direct contact

Send the complaint or appeal in writing to the Editor-in-Chief at the contact address on the Contact page. Include the manuscript or article identifier, a clear statement of the issue, and any supporting evidence. A written acknowledgement is sent within five working days.

Step 2 — Investigation

The Editor-in-Chief reviews the case. Where the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict of interest, the case is delegated to an independent editor or external advisor named in writing. The investigation follows the relevant COPE flowchart. A substantive response is provided within thirty working days.

Step 3 — External escalation

If the complainant remains dissatisfied, the case may be escalated to COPE under its members' procedures (or, if the journal is at that stage not yet a COPE member, to an independent ombudsperson agreed in advance).

No reprisals are taken against complainants acting in good faith.