Conflict of Interest Policy

Renaissance of Universal Mind · RUM PUBLISHING GROUP MCHJ

1. Conflicts of interest

Authors disclose relevant financial and non-financial interests at submission and update them when circumstances change. Editors and reviewers disclose conflicts before accepting an assignment and withdraw where impartiality is compromised. A disclosure is evaluated and managed; it is not automatically evidence of misconduct.

2. What must be disclosed

Relevant interests include employment, consulting, grants, patents, share ownership, paid services, close personal relationships, recent collaboration and academic competition that could reasonably affect assessment. Authors state the interests and the funder’s role, or explicitly declare no relevant conflict. The corresponding author collects declarations but each author is responsible for their accuracy.

3. Editors, reviewers and independent handling

Reviewers disclose conflicts before accepting an invitation and decline when impartiality cannot be maintained. An editor-author, close collaborator or other conflicted editor must not select reviewers or decide their own submission. Handling must be assigned to a suitable non-conflicted editor; payment or use of a related service must not secure favourable treatment.

4. Undeclared interests and remedies

Report a suspected undisclosed interest with evidence rather than assumptions. The editor seeks clarification and assesses whether the interest affected review or interpretation. A correction to the disclosure, independent reassessment or another proportionate action may be appropriate. Retraction is considered only when the seriousness and impact warrant it; disclosure alone is not a reason for rejection.

Related policies and information

Editorial office: editor@rum-journal.com.