International Soil and Water Conservation Research announced in April, 2025 that Artemi Cerdà would serve as an editorial board member of a journal copublished by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media, describing him as a "renowned researcher" in the field of soil erosion and land management. The appointment comes eight years after Cerdà, of the University of Valencia, in Spain, was found to have manipulated citations in favor of his own work and journals with which he was associated.

While Cerdà has not responded to questions about his appointment, a spokesperson for Elsevier acknowledged Cerdà’s history but defended the decision, writing that researchers "grow into their roles through participation and learning". The spokesperson continued: "[The] Editors believe it is reasonable to consider individuals for roles based on current willingness to uphold standards and accept the journal’s ethical policies, rather than excluding them indefinitely for past actions. … While past misconduct from nearly a decade ago is taken seriously, he has demonstrated the necessary commitment to standards, and the journal has a strict monitoring plan in place." Elsevier declined to elaborate on what the “strict monitoring plan” involves, citing confidentiality.

Source https://retractionwatch.com/2025/10/10/soil-scientist-artemi-cerda-citation-scandal-appointed-editor-role-elsevier-journal/

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