A recently introduced agriculture-focused journal under the Cureus publishing brand has drawn attention after invitations to join its editorial board were sent to researchers whose expertise does not align with the journal’s scope.
The journal, launched by Springer Nature, is part of an expansion of the Cureus portfolio into new subject areas, including agriculture and food science. However, shortly after invitations were distributed, at least one recipient, a researcher working outside the relevant field, reported receiving an offer to serve as an associate editor. The invitation praised the recipient’s supposed contributions to agriculture and food science, despite their unrelated specialization.
Within days, the publisher issued a follow-up communication acknowledging that the invitations had been sent in error. According to the message, a system malfunction resulted in outreach to individuals beyond the intended academic audience.
A representative associated with the journal clarified that the new title operates independently from the original Cureus Journal of Medical Science. The spokesperson further noted that the journal was developed in response to demand within the research community and emphasized that appropriate editorial and quality control mechanisms are in place.
The incident comes amid broader scrutiny of the Cureus brand. The original medical journal was removed from a major citation index in late 2024 following concerns regarding publication standards and article quality. While the publisher has since expanded the brand into additional disciplines, questions remain about editorial rigor and governance structures.
The researcher who received the invitation described the experience as concerning, particularly in light of the trust placed in editorial boards to uphold scientific quality. The individual highlighted that confidence in peer review depends heavily on the expertise and credibility of editors, especially in journals backed by established publishers.
Cureus has historically promoted rapid publication workflows, a model that has attracted both interest and criticism. Concerns have included the potential for compromised review processes and editorial practices. In response to earlier criticisms, the platform has implemented some policy changes, including limiting author influence over reviewer selection.
Despite ongoing challenges, publication output across Cureus journals has remained relatively stable. However, the absence of indexing metrics such as an impact factor may influence future submission patterns, as authors often consider such indicators when selecting publication venues.
This episode highlights the importance of robust editorial recruitment processes, particularly during the launch of new journals. Ensuring that editorial board members possess relevant subject expertise is essential not only for maintaining review quality but also for preserving trust in scholarly publishing systems.