STM Association introduces a digital identity framework to enhance research integrity
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The International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (STM) has released a Researcher Identity Verification Framework for community consultation. The framework proposes measures to verify researcher identities to prevent fraudulent submissions, paper mill activity, and research misconduct.
Historically, scholarly publishing has relied on trust, with minimal verification requirements such as email addresses. However, the rise of mass retractions due to fraudulent actors has revealed vulnerabilities in this approach. The new framework outlines risk-based identity verification, advocating for institutional identity providers, ORCID trust markers, and alternative verification methods to maintain security and accessibility.
Feedback from the research community will inform the framework’s finalization. The recommendations will be further explored at the STM US Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 2-3, 2025.
Click here to read the original press release.