Version 1.0, effective 12 October 2026. Applies to every member of the RSYN RESEARCH BOARDS (Domain Boards, Board of Women Editors, Keyword Boards, journal boards, Books & Monograph boards, Editorial, Reviewer, Advisory and Editors). A short version is on the agreement summary page.
1. Nature of membership
Board membership is an honorary academic service to RSYN Research LLP (“RSYN”). Submitting the application form is an application and not an appointment. RSYN may accept, defer or decline an application, or place the applicant on a different board. Membership does not make you an employee, partner or agent of RSYN, and it does not imply that RSYN endorses your views. Service is unpaid unless a separate written agreement says otherwise.
2. Eligibility
- A PhD (or an equivalent doctoral qualification) is the minimum for any board. Advisory Board members from industry need a PhD on or before 2010 and about ten years of industry experience.
- You confirm that the details and documents you give are true and complete. RSYN may ask for proof, for example a degree certificate or a CV that lists the degree.
- Membership may be withdrawn if information is found to be false.
3. Responsibilities of all members
- Act fairly, honestly and with courtesy in all board work.
- Respond to invitations promptly. Normally accept or decline within 3 working days.
- Declare conflicts of interest and decline work where you have one (see Ethics and conflict of interest).
- Keep your profile details current, and tell RSYN if you wish to step down.
- Do not claim a position or authority at RSYN that you have not been given.
4. Responsibilities by role
Reviewer. Review manuscripts in your field objectively, with constructive and specific comments, normally within 14 to 21 days. Tell the editor if you cannot meet the date.
Editor. Handle assigned manuscripts, invite suitable reviewers, judge reviews and recommend a decision on scientific merit and without regard to the authors' identity, nationality, gender or institution.
Editorial Board Member. Review and handle manuscripts when asked, advise on journal scope and policy, and promote the journal in good faith.
Advisory Board member. Advise on strategy, standards and industry relevance, and help to connect RSYN with researchers and organisations.
Board of Women Editors, Domain and Keyword Boards. Serve as the contact experts for the stated community, domain or keywords, and help RSYN to find reviewers and authors in that area.
Books & Monograph. Evaluate book proposals and chapters, and advise authors and editors on structure, scope and quality.
5. Confidentiality
Manuscripts, reviewer reports, decisions and author details are confidential. Do not share, copy, discuss or use them for your own work. Do not upload manuscripts or reports to public tools such as online AI services or translators. Confidentiality continues after you leave the board.
6. Ethics and misconduct
You will follow RSYN publication ethics, which are based on COPE guidance, and report suspected plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, duplicate submission, authorship disputes or other misconduct to the secretariat. See Ethics and conflict of interest.
7. Permission to publish your profile
By joining you permit RSYN to publish on rsyn.org your name, photograph, designation, affiliation, city, country, qualifications, research areas, keywords, short biography and academic profile links, and to show your board roles. A public photograph and short profile are a standard condition of membership. You may ask for a correction or removal at any time (see section 9).
8. Private information
Your email addresses, phone and WhatsApp numbers, gender, identity documents and proof of qualifications are kept private. They are used only for board administration and are not published. RSYN will contact you by email, WhatsApp or phone about board work. Details are on the Member data and privacy page.
9. Updating, leaving and removal
You may update your details, change your boards or leave at any time using the profile update form. RSYN will act on a removal request within a reasonable time and will remove your public profile page. RSYN may end a membership for breach of this agreement, inactivity over a long period, or conduct that harms the reputation or integrity of the boards.
10. Recognition
RSYN may issue an electronic certificate of recognition for active service. See Certificate. A certificate does not create any employment or other right.
11. Intellectual property
Your reviews and comments are given for RSYN's editorial use. You keep the ownership of your own research and publications. Submitted manuscripts remain the property of their authors.
12. Disclaimer
RSYN gives no guarantee of the number of manuscripts, the length of membership or any benefit from board service. To the extent allowed by law, RSYN is not liable for loss arising from board service, and members are not liable for good faith editorial opinions. RSYN may update this agreement and will publish the new version on this page. Continued service after an update means you accept it.
13. Contact
Questions about this agreement: contact the RSYN secretariat.