• Terms & Conditions

By accessing and using the Southern Cross Academic Publishing website, users agree to the following Terms and Conditions. These guidelines ensure a safe, transparent, and respectful environment for authors, reviewers, readers, and all members of our academic community.

Use of Website Content

All articles, materials, and information published on our website are provided for academic, educational, and research purposes. Users may read, download, and share Open Access content in accordance with the licence applied to each publication. Content may not be used in ways that violate copyright, misrepresent authors’ work, or breach ethical standards.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts must ensure that their work is original, ethically conducted, and properly cited. By submitting, authors confirm that the manuscript has not been published elsewhere, is not under consideration by another journal, and meets our ethical and authorship criteria.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers agree to provide confidential, fair, and unbiased assessments of submitted manuscripts. All information obtained during the peer review process must be kept strictly confidential and used solely for the purpose of review.

User Conduct

Users must not engage in activities that harm the website, compromise its security, or disrupt access to our services. Any misuse, including attempts to upload malicious content or misrepresent identity, is strictly prohibited.

Accuracy of Information

While we strive to provide accurate and updated information, Southern Cross Academic Publishing does not guarantee that all website content is free from errors. We reserve the right to update or correct information at any time without prior notice.

Changes to Terms & Conditions

We may revise these Terms & Conditions periodically to reflect updates in policies, legal requirements, or operational practices. Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of any revised terms.

• Privacy Policy

Southern Cross Academic Publishing is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all authors, reviewers, readers, and visitors to our website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your information in compliance with ethical and legal standards.

Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide our publishing services, including:

• Personal details submitted during manuscript submission (e.g., name, affiliation, email).
• Reviewer information required for conducting peer review.
• Website usage data for analytics and service improvement.
• Information voluntarily provided through contact forms or subscriptions.

We do not collect unnecessary personal data, nor do we engage in intrusive data practices.

How We Use Your Information

Your information is used solely for legitimate publishing purposes, including:

• Managing submissions and peer review processes.
• Communicating with authors, reviewers, and editors.
• Maintaining accurate authorship records.
• Providing updates about publications, policies, or relevant announcements.
• Improving website functionality and user experience.

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Data Protection and Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data from loss, unauthorised access, misuse, or disclosure. Access to personal information is restricted to authorised staff involved in the publishing workflow.

Third-Party Services

Some external services, such as indexing platforms, reference managers, or repository links, may be accessible through our website. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. Users are encouraged to review their respective policies.

Data Retention

Personal data related to submissions, peer reviews, or published works is retained as part of the permanent scholarly record. Other data may be retained only as long as necessary to fulfil operational or legal requirements.

• Open Access Policy

Southern Cross Academic Publishing is fully committed to the principles of Open Access. We believe that scholarly knowledge should be freely available to everyone, regardless of geographic, institutional, or economic barriers. All our journals operate under a 100% Open Access model, ensuring unrestricted access to published research.

Free Access for Readers

All articles published with Southern Cross Academic Publishing are immediately and permanently available online without paywalls, subscription fees, or registration barriers. Readers are free to download, read, share, and cite articles at no cost.

Affordable and Transparent APCs

To support accessible publishing, we maintain affordable or low-cost article processing charges (APCs). These fees cover editorial administration, online hosting, long-term archiving, and peer review management.

Licensing and Reuse Rights

All articles are published under open licenses typically Creative Commons (CC BY) or equivalent allowing broad reuse while ensuring proper attribution to authors. Authors retain copyright to their work, empowering them to share and distribute their research freely.

Author Rights

Authors maintain full rights to:

• Reuse their published work
• Deposit articles in institutional or subject repositories
• Share copies on personal or professional websites
• Use their content in teaching or future research

We support self-archiving and encourage the widest possible dissemination of scholarly outputs.

Commitment to Open Science

Our Open Access policy aligns with global initiatives promoting transparency, data sharing, and collaboration. We encourage authors to share datasets, code, and supplementary materials in open repositories whenever ethically and legally appropriate.

Equity and Inclusivity

Open Access at Southern Cross Academic Publishing is rooted in fairness. By removing access restrictions and reducing financial barriers, we aim to empower researchers from all backgrounds and regions to participate fully in global academic discourse.

• Copyright Policy

Southern Cross Academic Publishing is committed to promoting author rights and supporting the free dissemination of scholarly knowledge. Our copyright policy reflects our Open Access values and ensures that authors retain ownership of their work while allowing broad and responsible reuse.

Author Copyright Ownership

Authors retain full copyright over their published articles. By choosing to publish with us, authors grant Southern Cross Academic Publishing a non-exclusive licence to publish, distribute, and archive the work while preserving the author’s ownership rights.

Open Licensing (Creative Commons)

All published articles are made available under a Creative Commons licence, typically CC BY, which permits others to share, copy, distribute, adapt, and build upon the work, provided that proper attribution is given to the original authors.

Alternative Creative Commons licences may be selected if required by authors or funders, provided they align with our Open Access principles.

Rights Granted to the Publisher

By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to grant Southern Cross Academic Publishing the right to:

• Publish and disseminate the article in print or digital formats
• Index the article in academic databases
• Preserve the article in long-term archiving repositories
• Promote and distribute the work for academic and educational purposes

These rights are non-exclusive, meaning authors remain free to share, reuse, or republish their work elsewhere with proper attribution.

Author Reuse Rights

Authors are free to:

Deposit the published version in institutional or subject repositories

• Share the article on personal websites, academic networks, or social platforms
• Use their work in teaching, presentations, or future publications
• Reproduce content in books, theses, or derivative works

Permission for Third-Party Material

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to use copyrighted third-party materials such as images, figures, tables, or datasets not covered under public or open licences. Proper credit must be given, and documentation must be retained.

Protection of the Scholarly Record

Published articles are preserved in secure servers and backup systems to ensure long-term accessibility. Any updates, corrections, or retractions follow COPE-aligned procedures to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.