IOP Publishing, the publishing arm of the Institute of Physics, has adopted the TRUST Code, a global code of conduct designed to promote equitable research partnerships. The adoption is intended to establish expectations for fair and responsible international research collaboration.
The TRUST Code provides guidance for preventing exploitation in international research, particularly in resource-limited settings. Adopted by organizations including research funders, universities, publishers, and nongovernmental organizations, the code promotes transparency and aims to address power imbalances in research collaborations.
Alongside its adoption of the code, IOP Publishing has introduced guidance for authors, editors, and reviewers outlining expectations for involving local researchers and communities throughout the research process, from project planning and data collection to publication.
The guidance addresses helicopter research, also known as parachute research, in which studies are conducted with limited involvement from the researchers and communities closest to the subject. Such practices can exclude local expertise and limit opportunities for those directly affected by research to influence its direction and share in its benefits.
IOP Publishing is a not-for-profit publisher affiliated with the Institute of Physics. It provides publishing opportunities for researchers worldwide and supports scientific discovery, research integrity, and the dissemination and recognition of research.
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