Journal policies

Open Access Policy

JASC is an open-access journal. All content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, meaning it is freely available without charge. Users may read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without prior permission from the publisher or author, provided appropriate credit is given.

Authors are permitted to deposit all versions of their paper in institutional or subject repositories, including preprints, accepted manuscripts, and the published version of record. There is no embargo on listing articles in repositories outside of JASC.

Authors are not charged any Article Processing Charges (APCs) or other publication fees.

Permissions

It is not necessary to obtain permission to reuse articles published in JASC, provided reuse is in line with the article’s Creative Commons license and attribution to the author(s) and published article is maintained. These terms do not extend to material with separate licensing terms or material identified as third-party copyright. Permission to reproduce third-party material must be obtained directly from the copyright holders.

Publication Frequency

JASC publishes two issues per year, on May 31 and November 30.

Peer Review Process

JASC operates a full-spectrum peer review process, allowing authors and reviewers to choose from double-anonymous, single-anonymous, or open review. All peer reviews of Original Articles are conducted by external experts who are not members of the editorial team. For full details, see the Review Process page.

Authorship and Contributorship

All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the work. For full authorship criteria, see the Submission Guidelines page.

JASC encourages the use of the CRediT (Contributor Role Taxonomy) framework to describe individual author contributions. For details, see https://credit.niso.org/.

Responsible Use of AI in Research and Publishing

JASC expects all parties involved in the research and publication process, including authors, reviewers, and editors, to maintain full intellectual and ethical integrity. We see potential for generative AI tools to support research and knowledge creation when used thoughtfully and transparently, in ways that do not compromise scholarly integrity, relational accountability, or the confidentiality of people and data.

For Authors

Authorship and Responsibility

  • AI tools (such as large language models or chatbots) cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
  • Human accountability: Authorship requires assuming responsibility for the originality, integrity, and accuracy of the work. Authors remain fully responsible for the content, tone, and judgment expressed in their manuscripts.

Permitted Uses (with disclosure)

Authors may use AI systems as thinking partners to support the preparation of their manuscript. This includes:

  • Language and formatting: Improving clarity, grammar, and readability, or assisting with citation formatting.
  • Translation and synthesis: Assisting with translation or summarizing the author’s own generated material (e.g., field notes), provided no confidential data is shared.
  • Verification: Using tools to help verify references and citations, provided the final output is manually checked.
  • Visual aids: Generating illustrative images or diagrams, provided their AI origin is clearly disclosed, they do not misrepresent data, and the output is manually checked for accuracy and bias.

Prohibited Uses

AI must not compromise the embodied judgment that characterizes our field. Prohibited uses include:

  • Substantial content generation: AI may not be used to write substantial parts of the scholarly content (e.g., conceptual frameworks, methods, or results).
  • Data manipulation: Generating, altering, or “smoothing” empirical data or inventing data under the guise of simulation.
  • Confidentiality breaches: Authors must not upload confidential or identifiable participant data into AI systems that store or use submissions for training purposes. If you are unsure of a system’s data-retention policy, refrain from using it.

Required Disclosure

If AI tools were used during any stage of research or writing, authors must include a brief AI Use Statement in the manuscript:

  • Tools used: Identify the specific tool(s) used.
  • Purpose: State how the tool was used (e.g., “language editing” or “formatting references”).
  • Confirmation: Confirm that all content has been verified by the human authors and that no claims are based solely on AI output.

Example Formulation

The authors used [Tool Name] for language editing of the manuscript. All conceptual framing, empirical analysis, and conclusions are the authors’ own, and all references were manually verified.

As the field of AI continues to evolve, this policy will be reviewed and adapted to reflect emerging practices and ethical considerations.

For Reviewers

The Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change expects reviewers to maintain full intellectual and ethical integrity throughout the review process. This includes protecting the confidentiality and intellectual property of submitted manuscripts.

Confidentiality Requirements

Reviewers must not upload any part of a manuscript or confidential editorial materials to AI systems that store data or use submissions for training purposes. Only private AI systems that do not retain or reuse information may be used for review-related tasks. If you are not sure whether an AI system stores or uses data, refrain from using it.

For more information, see: https://www.relx.com/corporate-responsibility/being-a-responsible-business/responsible-ai

Permitted Uses

Reviewers may use private AI systems as thinking partners to support their review process. This includes working with AI to analyze and interpret manuscript content, check spelling and grammar, assist with translation, and verify references and citations. The use of these tools, accompanied by critical thinking and thorough verification of the AI’s output, can enhance the reviewer's thinking process. The review itself must still be written by the reviewer using their own judgment and expertise.

Prohibited Uses

While AI can support the review process, it cannot replace the reviewer's judgment and voice. AI tools may not be used to write the review itself. Crucially, reviewers must not use AI to provide recommendations regarding whether to accept, revise, or reject a manuscript.

Reviewer Responsibility

Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content, tone, and judgment expressed in their reviews. The peer review process relies on human expertise, contextual understanding, and the embodied judgment that characterizes awareness-based systems change scholarship.
As the field of AI continues to evolve, this policy will be reviewed and adapted to reflect emerging practices and ethical considerations.

Research Misconduct Policy

Research misconduct is defined as significant violations of ethical and professional norms in the planning, execution, reporting, or dissemination of research. This term broadly covers activities such as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and any other actions that jeopardize the integrity and authenticity of scholarly work.

If there are allegations of research misconduct, they should be directed to oliver.koenig@suttneruni.at. Upon receiving such an allegation, the JASC Editorial Team will engage in a thorough review of the claims and undertake an impartial and confidential investigation. The team is committed to communicating the findings of this investigation to the concerned author within three months from the date of the allegation.

Conflict of Interest Policy

It is the collective responsibility of authors, reviewers, editors, staff, and the journal’s publisher/owner to disclose any conflicts of interest. These conflicts may encompass a range of issues, including but not limited to personal relationships, affiliations, biases towards certain groups, connections with relevant organizations, financial incentives, personal benefits, academic competitions, or ideological beliefs that could potentially compromise the objectivity of their work or assessments. In instances of a conflict of interest, JASC reserves the right to take appropriate actions, which may include halting the publication process or retracting a previously published article.

Ethical Oversight Policy

Authors are responsible for adhering to all guidelines for ethical practice as established under the codes of conduct set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the American Psychological Association (APA). For empirical research involving human participants, evidence of ethics clearance must be provided at the time of submission.

Complaints and Appeals Policy

If you have any concerns or appeals related to the conduct of our editors and/or peer reviewers, such as potential breaches of confidentiality, unacknowledged conflicts of interest, inappropriate use of confidential information, or disagreements about retraction decisions, please reach out to katrin.kaeufer@presencing.org. This also applies to administrative issues like unusual editorial procedures or lack of responsiveness from journal staff. We assure that all such matters will be addressed promptly and appropriately.

Corrections Policy

Prior to publication, authors will be asked to submit the most current metadata (authorship order, affiliations, emails, keywords, and abstract) through a standardized form. It is the authors’ responsibility to ensure that this information is accurate as changes will not be made after publication.

In addition, authors will be asked to review and approve recommended copy edits and check their manuscript for accuracy. In the case that typos or formatting errors occur in the production process, authors are asked to contact the Editorial Team specifying the location and nature of the error and we will make the necessary corrections.

Research Misconduct Policy

Research misconduct is defined as significant violations of ethical and professional norms in the planning, execution, reporting, or dissemination of research. This term broadly covers activities such as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and any other actions that jeopardize the integrity and authenticity of scholarly work.

If there are allegations of research misconduct, they should be directed to oliver.koenig@suttneruni.at. Upon receiving such an allegation, the JASC Editorial Team will engage in a thorough review of the claims and undertake an impartial and confidential investigation. The team is committed to communicating the findings of this investigation to the concerned author within three months from the date of the allegation.

Conflict of Interest Policy

It is the collective responsibility of authors, reviewers, editors, staff, and the journal’s publisher/owner to disclose any conflicts of interest. These conflicts may encompass a range of issues, including but not limited to personal relationships, affiliations, biases towards certain groups, connections with relevant organizations, financial incentives, personal benefits, academic competitions, or ideological beliefs that could potentially compromise the objectivity of their work or assessments. In instances of a conflict of interest, JASC reserves the right to take appropriate actions, which may include halting the publication process or retracting a previously published article.

Ethical Oversight Policy

Authors are responsible for adhering to all guidelines for ethical practice as established under the codes of conduct set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the American Psychological Association (APA). For empirical research involving human participants, evidence of ethics clearance must be provided at the time of submission.

Complaints and Appeals Policy

If you have any concerns or appeals related to the conduct of our editors and/or peer reviewers, such as potential breaches of confidentiality, unacknowledged conflicts of interest, inappropriate use of confidential information, or disagreements about retraction decisions, please reach out to katrin.kaeufer@presencing.org. This also applies to administrative issues like unusual editorial procedures or lack of responsiveness from journal staff. We assure that all such matters will be addressed promptly and appropriately.

Corrections Policy

Prior to publication, authors will be asked to submit the most current metadata (authorship order, affiliations, emails, keywords, and abstract) through a standardized form. It is the authors’ responsibility to ensure that this information is accurate as changes will not be made after publication.

In addition, authors will be asked to review and approve recommended copy edits and check their manuscript for accuracy. In the case that typos or formatting errors occur in the production process, authors are asked to contact the Editorial Team specifying the location and nature of the error and we will make the necessary corrections.

Retraction Policy

In cases where published content is found to contain serious errors, research misconduct, or ethical violations that undermine the integrity of the published record, JASC will follow COPE retraction guidelines. A retraction notice will be published and linked to the original article, which will be clearly marked as retracted but will remain accessible for the purposes of the scholarly record.

Data Sharing and Reproducibility

JASC encourages authors to make research data available where ethically appropriate. Authors should describe data availability in their manuscript. Where data cannot be shared due to ethical constraints, authors should explain the reasons.

Post-Publication Discussion

JASC welcomes post-publication correspondence. Readers who wish to initiate discussion of a published article may contact the Editorial Team at the address listed on the Contact page.

Take-Down Policy

If you believe content published in JASC infringes any person’s rights or applicable laws, you may contact the Editor. On receipt of a complaint, the Editorial Team will: (1) make an initial assessment of its validity, (2) acknowledge receipt by email, (3) for all but spurious complaints, cease access to the item in question, and (4) seek to verify the complainant’s identity and authority. If the complaint is verified as legitimate, the item will be removed from public access. If it is confirmed that the content does not breach any law, it will be reinstated.

Archiving

JASC uses the PKP Preservation Network (PKP-PN) to create permanent archives for preservation and restoration. If the PKP platform were to cease operating, archived issues would be housed and made available at https://www.presencing.org/u-research.

Journal Sponsorship

JASC is published by the Presencing Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (https://www.presencing.org/). Print copies of individual issues can be purchased at https://presencing.market/collections/journal. Revenue generated from print copy sales is directed in full to offsetting JASC’s operating and production costs. JASC accepts donations from individuals and entities. Donors are made visible by showcasing the logos of donating organizations on the cover of the issue associated with a donation.

JASC seeks sponsorship for special themed issues. In these cases, partnerships between guest editors and the JASC editorial team are welcome, however editorial decisions related to the acceptance of articles remain solely with the editorial team, who are responsible for ensuring adherence to JASC processes and protocols, and for upholding ethical and quality standards. Articles unrelated to a given special theme are welcome and featured alongside themed contributions.

Privacy and Consent

The data collected from registered and non-registered users of this journal falls within the scope of the standard functioning of peer-reviewed journals. It includes information that makes communication possible for the editorial process; it is used to inform readers about the authorship and editing of content; it enables collecting aggregated data on readership behaviors, as well as tracking geopolitical and social elements of scholarly communication.

This journal’s editorial team uses this data to guide its work in publishing and improving this journal. Data that will assist in developing this journal platform (Open Journal Systems – OJS) may be shared with its developer Public Knowledge Project (PKP) in an anonymized and aggregated form, with appropriate exceptions such as article metrics. The data will not be sold by this journal or PKP nor will it be used for purposes other than those stated here.

Registered Users: Users who register with this journal, including authors and peer reviewers where applicable, consent to having their personal information stored in the JASC hosting platform (OJS) and processed by the platform and journal editorial teams.

Authors: Authors who make a submission to this journal consent to the personal information they supply as part of the submission being stored on the JASC hosting platform (OJS) and processed by the platform and journal editorial teams. Authors who make a submission have the responsibility to ensure that all contributors have read this Privacy and Consent policy and consent to having their personal information stored and processed. Authors published in this journal are also responsible for the human subject data that figures in the research reported in the journal.

Website Visitors: JASC hosting platform (OJS) collects anonymized usage log data, including IP addresses, pages visited, date visited, browser information, and geographical data. This information is not used to identify visitors personally and it is not used for any purpose other than what is described here.

Rights of the Individual: Those involved in editing this journal seek to be compliant with industry standards for data privacy, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provision for “data subject rights” that include (a) breach notification; (b) right of access; (c) the right to be forgotten; (d) data portability; and (e) privacy by design. The GDPR also allows for the recognition of “the public interest in the availability of the data,” which has a particular saliency for those involved in maintaining, with the greatest integrity possible, the public record of scholarly publishing. All users whose details are stored in the JASC OJS installation can exercise their rights of the individual, as they are detailed in the GDPR. If you have a user account and wish to have it deleted, please email a member of the editorial team.

Disclaimer

The content of the papers published in JASC represents the views of the authors and is their sole responsibility. JASC and its editors disclaim liability for violations of other parties’ rights, or any damage incurred as a consequence of use or application of any of the contents of JASC. In submitting a paper to JASC the author warrants that the article is original and has not been published or presented for publication elsewhere and that nothing in the article violates any right of privacy or infringes any intellectual property rights or other rights of any kind of any person or entity.