United2Act
is a growing international movement taking decisive action against the collective challenge of paper mills in scholarly publishing.
Paper mills are a real threat to the integrity of the scholarly record. Collective effort is needed because no individual stakeholder can solve this problem alone.
United2Act unites, educates, and mobilises a diverse coalition of stakeholders committed to collective action against the critical issue of paper mills—entities that produce fraudulent research papers for profit.
Today, United2Act comprises research institutions, publishers, investigative researchers, universities, and publishing infrastructure leaders, united in their commitment to action.
Phase 2
Phase 2 (2025 to 2027) will be a 2-year collaborative project centred on community engagement. It will activate the materials and insights developed during Phase 1 (2023 to 2025), via targeted engagement for lasting impact.
Three Phase 2 working groups will ensure that educational tools are widely adopted, stakeholder responsibilities are embedded in practice, and research institutions and funders are engaged as active partners in the fight against paper mills. Together, these groups represent a coordinated effort to safeguard the credibility of scholarly communication.
Education Working Group
Implements and promotes the use of educational resources to strengthen community vigilance against paper mills.
Stakeholder Responsibilities Working Group
Drives adoption of guidance on stakeholder roles in preventing and addressing paper mill activity.
Funder Outreach Working Group
Engages research funders to embed integrity safeguards and align efforts against paper mills.
A project from
