UAJY Lecturer Dismissed After Reporting Suspected Predatory Journal Publication
A lecturer at Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta (UAJY), identified only as R, has been dismissed from his post after reporting the suspected use of predatory journals involving a number of the university’s academics. The case went viral after being posted on the Instagram account @lbhyogyakarta. “Criticism Answered with Termination: UAJY Faculty of Law Worker/Lecturer Silenced for Criticising Predatory Journal Publications,” the post stated.
Public Lawyer from YLBHI-LBH Jogja, Wetub Toatubun, explained that R initially reported the suspected predatory journal publications, which allegedly involved several lecturers, campus bureaucratic officials, and professors at UAJY. The report was submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) and the university’s foundation.
“R reported the suspected predatory journal publications by several colleagues, even campus bureaucratic officials at UAJY, up to professors,” Wetub said. “This report actually has a basis. There is some evidence that, according to R, is strong enough to classify these as predatory journals. He reported it to the Ministry.”
According to Wetub, R’s report was grounded in evidence deemed quite robust. One example was a journal that had been discontinued by Scopus, yet its publications were still being used.
Rather than receiving protection, R was reportedly summoned by the rectorate. During the clarification process, the campus authorities assessed that R’s report could potentially tarnish UAJY’s good name. “R’s hope was that he could be protected as a whistleblower. It is not easy to speak up about issues relating to academic integrity,” he stated. “But unfortunately, he was summoned by the rectorate, who considered that his actions—sending emails and reporting the suspected predatory journal practices by fellow lecturers, campus officials, and professors—would tarnish UAJY’s good name.”
Wetub revealed that before the dismissal letter was issued on 17 April, R was given several options by the campus. The first was to resign. The second was to apologise and retract the report. Should he choose neither, R would face dishonourable dismissal. “R refused to choose because he saw this as discriminatory treatment. Why should he be the one sanctioned, not the parties suspected of engaging in predatory journal publications?” Wetub said. He claimed the suspected predatory journal publication involved over a dozen academics, including lecturers, campus officials, and professors.