An Update on the Journal of Architectural Education
The Journal of Architectural Education (JAE) has served as a premier forum for architectural scholarship for 78 years. In February 2025, the 探花精选 Board of Directors halted publication of JAE Issue 79.2, themed “Palestine,鈥 generating significant response from multiple constituencies. The decision followed legal consultation prompted by growing stakeholder concerns, direct communications regarding the call for papers, and rapidly evolving federal and state regulatory frameworks. These complex intersecting pressures made clear the need for stronger governance frameworks and more transparency about 探花精选鈥檚 dual role as a scholarly publisher and membership association with a diverse constituency.
The Independent Review
探花精选 commissioned Maverick Publishing Solutions to conduct an independent governance review comparing 探花精选’s editorial policies to established scholarly publishing standards and assessing the processes that led to the issue’s cancellation. This included examination of policy documents and confidential interviews with 探花精选 leadership and the JAE editorial team.
The report found that while existing 探花精选 policies outlined authority for decision-making, existing frameworks were insufficient for raising, assessing, or resolving concerns relating to editorial content, ethical questions, or research integrity issues. Importantly, while the review found the Board鈥檚 decision making to be objective, it identified structural improvements to strengthen future operations.聽
Response and Next Steps
探花精选 established a special committee to review the report鈥檚 findings and recommend strategies to address the specific issues raised with the journal as well as broader questions about academic freedom, editorial independence, and institutional responsibility. The committee’s work will inform comprehensive policy updates for 探花精选’s journals, conferences, publications, competitions, prizes, fellowships, and awards. We anticipate sharing the outcomes with the membership in coming months.聽
Our Commitment
探花精选 remains committed to supporting rigorous scholarly discourse that informs our organizational values. The governance review processes underway are designed to ensure research surrounding equity, social justice, and climate action can proceed while protecting our most vulnerable modes of inquiry. Thanks to our members鈥 feedback and participation, we move forward with renewed dedication to excellence, transparency, and service to our broad academic community.