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FAQs about changes to BSI publishing portfolio

We understand that our members as well as the Editorial Board members, authors, reviewers and readers from our journals may have specific questions about how the recent announcement of the changes to the BSI publishing portfolio affects them. Here, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions and concerns. If you have any further questions, please email journals@immunology.org


For BSI members

Why is the BSI changing publishers?

In 2021 the BSI decided to move away from supporting publisher-owned journals, to focus on developing journals that are wholly owned by the BSI. Clinical & Experimental Immunology and Immunotherapy Advances have always been owned by the BSI, whereas Immunology has always been owned by the publisher. In choosing Oxford University Press (OUP) as the new publishing partner for Clinical & Experimental Immunology, the journal joined the BSI’s newest journal Immunotherapy Advances with a publisher who is committed to providing strong future strategic development, engaging platforms for research dissemination and excellent opportunities for financial returns.

Our move to OUP also allowed for the expansion of our publishing portfolio, with the launch of Discovery Immunology, the newest member of the BSI family of journals.

Why did the BSI select OUP to publish its journals?

OUP is a highly respected academic publisher, publishing over 450 journals, two-thirds of which are in partnership with learned and professional societies. In selecting OUP as the chosen publisher for Clinical & Experimental Immunology, the BSI is confident that we have selected a partner who brings shared values and ambitions for the BSI publishing portfolio of the future, while also respecting the core mission of the Society to advance immunology and disseminate research for the benefit of human and animal health. 

How will the BSI replace any income previously received in relation to Immunology?

The BSI has secured an excellent financial arrangement for the publication of Clinical & Experimental ImmunologyImmunotherapy Advances and Discovery Immunology and in addition plans to continue to pursue its key strategic goal for income diversification in the future.

How does the change in publishing arrangements affect the financial stability of the BSI?

The decision to focus on developing BSI journals that are wholly owned by the BSI means that we have greater control over the journals’ futures, including the ability to negotiate favourable publishing arrangements, with the most appropriate publishing partners for our journals.

Why is income diversification important to the BSI?

As outlined in the BSI’s 2019-2020 Annual Review, Clinical & Experimental Immunology and Immunology contribute over 50% of the Society’s annual revenue. It is essential for the Society’s long-term sustainability, and ability to fund its charitable activities, that it diversifies its income and creates new income streams. This focus on income diversification, the planning for which has been ongoing for several years, is reflected in the BSI Trustees’ decision to approve the launch of Immunotherapy Advances in 2021, the BSI’s first journal launch in over 60 years, and Discovery Immunology in 2022.

Will the cost of my BSI membership remain the same, and will I retain my journal benefits?

The cost of BSI membership will not be affected by the change in publishing arrangements. We are pleased to still be able to offer member benefits for Clinical & Experimental Immunology ​​​​​​,​Immunotherapy Advances and Discovery Immunology. Benefits include free access to Clinical & Experimental Immunology via the BSI membership login, and discounts on Article Processing Charges for all journals when choosing to publish Open Access. From 2022 onwards unfortunately the BSI is unable to offer any BSI member benefits relating to Immunology or offer a discount on Wiley books.

Will I still be able to find research published in Immunology on the BSI website?

The BSI is proud to have been affiliated with Immunology since its launch in 1958 and is keen to recognize the work of the many BSI members who have contributed to its current success. For this reason, you will still be able to find some research published in Immunology on the BSI website.


For journal Editorial Board members, authors, reviewers and readers

When is Professor Simon Milling stepping down as Editor-in-Chief of Immunology?

Professor Simon Milling ended his term as Editor-in-Chief of Immunology at the end of 2021, and everyone at the BSI would like to take this opportunity again to thank him for his outstanding work on the journal. Professor Simon Milling has now taken on the position of Editor-in-Chief of our latest journal, Discovery Immunology, which opened for submissions in January 2022 and published its inaugural issue in October 2022.  

What are the plans for the rest of the Immunology Editorial Board?

The BSI and Professor Simon Milling are extremely grateful to all members of the Immunology Editorial Board, as well as those who have served the journal over the years. The BSI and Wiley worked with the Associate Editors and other members of the Editorial Board to ensure that their individual wishes about continuing to serve Immunology were respected.

I have submitted a paper to one of the BSI’s journals, what does this mean for me?

Papers submitted to Clinical & Experimental Immunology prior to January 2022 should not experience any interruption to the peer review or production process. If your paper was published in 2021 it will initially appear on the Wiley platform, but has been transferred over to the OUP platform. Articles from 2022 onwards will appear on the OUP website under the new branding. Clinical & Experimental Immunology remains a BSI-owned journal, and Professor Leonie Taams and her team welcome your submissions.

Immunology is no longer affiliated with the BSI. If you have recently submitted a paper to Immunology, your paper will follow the usual peer-review process under the new Editor-in-Chief and Wiley Editorial office. Profits from the journal no longer contribute to the charitable activities of the Society and BSI Members will no longer receive a discount on the APCs for Open Access in the journal. 

I have a paper ready to submit, should I still send it to Immunology?

Immunology would still be happy to receive your submissions.

I follow the BSI’s Twitter accounts, what do the changes mean for me?

Please continue to follow the BSI on our existing social media accounts, including @IMTadvances, @discovimmunol and @CEIjournal we will continue to share content from the journals, update you with news, and provide information about our publishing programme. The @immjournal account is no longer open.