MODULE 01
Governance design
Define the relationship between the journal owner, editorial board, editor-in-chief and publishing team. This includes terms of reference, appointment processes and the boundaries of editorial authority.
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Publishing standard
Editorial independence
Structures that keep scholarly decisions with editors and editorial boards.
Why it matters
A practical foundation for credible publishing.
Editorial independence is the foundation of a credible scholarly journal. It means that editorial decisions are made by qualified editors and boards, guided by the journal’s stated scope and policies rather than commercial or operational pressure.
Independence does not mean editors work without support. It means the service model is designed so that editorial authority is clear, operational teams know where responsibility sits, and every participant understands how decisions are made, recorded and reviewed. This is particularly important when a journal is growing, changing publisher or working across a society, institution and service partner.
Core areas
The operating details that make the difference.
01
Clear editorial-board remit, membership and responsibilities
02
Defined authority for editorial decisions and escalation
03
Practical operational support that does not compromise scholarly judgement
Service modules
Detailed support, from design through delivery.
Harrowell combines strategic structure with the practical work that keeps a journal moving. The modules below can be delivered as a focused project or as part of an ongoing service.
MODULE 02
Decision frameworks
Create clear routes for routine decisions, difficult cases, appeals and escalations, so editorial teams can act consistently without uncertainty or unnecessary delay.
MODULE 03
Editorial office support
Provide administrative coordination, meeting support, communications and workflow management that helps editors carry out their role without taking over their judgement.
MODULE 04
Governance review
Review board effectiveness, role clarity and governance documentation as the journal grows, changes ownership or develops a more complex operating model.
How Harrowell supports it
Support designed for the way journals actually work.
- 1
Document governance and decision-making structures
- 2
Support editor onboarding, communication and reporting
- 3
Design workflows that separate editorial decisions from commercial activity
- 4
Review governance arrangements as a journal develops
What good looks like
The outcomes a stronger operating model should create.
- Editors have a clearly defined mandate
- Operational teams understand the limits of their authority
- Journal owners retain appropriate strategic oversight
- Authors and readers can understand how editorial decisions are governed
Questions to work through
A practical starting point for your team.
- 1
Who has authority to make editorial decisions?
- 2
How are conflicts, appeals and sensitive cases escalated?
- 3
What information does the board need to govern effectively?
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