Scholarly and scientific publishing is constantly evolving, and most recently driven by major movements towards open science and also influenced by the widespread availability of technology, like generative artificial intelligence. Negative influencers such as misaligned academic incentives, “pay-to-publish” publishing models, paper mills and plagiarism, and other unethical behaviors and their consequences are on the rise. The evergreen challenge? Keeping research transparent, trustworthy, and just plain honest. Research integrity is super important, to say the very least – and it is HOT! 

Are you considering a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree? If you're passionate about improving global health and want to make a meaningful impact, a MPH can be a great next step. But with so many programs available, how do you choose the right one?

The fight against misinformation in the digital age is a critical public health challenge. At the APHA 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo in Minneapolis, Tim Mackey, Editor-in-Chief of JMIR Infodemiology, sat down with JMIR Publications CEO and founder, Gunther Eysenbach, to discuss the journal's role in this fight. Mackey highlighted the growing importance of infodemiology, the journal's commitment to open science, and the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies like AI.

The fight against tobacco continues to be a critical public health battleground. At the APHA 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo, Barbara Schillo, Chief Research Officer at Truth Initiative, provided valuable insights into this ongoing struggle. In conversation with JMIR Publications Managing Editor Shruti Kochhar, Barbara discussed the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for combating the tobacco industry's influence and rebuilding trust in public health.

Dr. Akshaya Bhagavathula, an associate professor of epidemiology at North Dakota State University, recently spoke with JMIR Publications' publisher and executive editor, Gunther Eysenbach, while attending the APHA 2024 conference in Minneapolis. They enjoyed a fascinating discussion about his work in infodemiology and digital health. With a focus on using social media and AI to understand public health interventions, he brings a wealth of experience from his work across the globe, including Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

At the APHA 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo, Nicole Wolfe, Co-Director of Community Engagement at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, shared powerful insights into rebuilding trust in public health, particularly within lower-income communities of color. In conversation with JMIR Publications Managing Editor Shruti Kochhar, Nicole highlighted the importance of continuous engagement, culturally tailored communication, and respectful partnerships in addressing historical mistrust and combating misinformation.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo in Minneapolis was a hub of critical conversations about the future of public health. One particularly insightful session featured Dr. Arnab Mukherjea, a Professor of Public Health at California State University East Bay, and JMIR Infodemiology author, interviewed by JMIR Publications CEO and founder, Gunther Eysenbach. Their discussion centered on the urgent need to rebuild trust in public health and science, a challenge thrown into sharp relief by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world of machine learning research is rapidly evolving, and with it, the need for clear and concise reporting standards. Recently, the JMIR AI journal hosted a webinar titled "Guidelines for Publishing Machine Learning Modeling Studies," featuring Dr. Khaled El Emam, Co-Editor-in-Chief of JMIR AI. This blog post summarizes the key takeaways for researchers looking to publish their machine learning modeling studies.

For junior faculty members, the path to academic promotion can seem daunting. However, with a strategic approach, you can successfully navigate the journey from assistant to associate to full professor. In a recent JMIR Publications webinar, Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw and Dr. Cynthia Lokker from McMaster University shared invaluable advice for junior faculty on what to focus on and what not to worry about when it comes to academic promotion. Here are a few of the key insights from their presentation.