Background

In 2022, COPE and STM undertook a study with Maverick Publishing Services, based on data from publishers and interviews with stakeholders, to understand the scale of the problem of paper mills, and to consider what actions to take.
Download the report from COPE

Recognising the need for collective action, in May 2023 a virtual summit was organised by COPE and STM with the aim:

“To arrive at a shared actionable multi-stakeholder plan to address the problem of paper mills”

The outcome of the summit was to agree a Consensus Statement and the set up of Phase 1 (2023 to 2025), a joint project from COPE and STM, who generously provided funds and services to support the initial phase.

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, via targeted engagement for lasting impact.