Posting policy

Acceptable use of the service

The site exists to help communicate the achievements and relevance of European research in science, medicine, technology, the arts, humanities and social sciences to non-specialist audiences via the mass media.

Material that does this (press releases, news of events, background briefings) is welcome. Postings from commercial research establishments of new discoveries are welcome, but news of new products is not acceptable.

If you are unsure as to the relevance of information that you would like to post, please contact the editor on site duty at alphagalileo@alphagalileo.org. As a guide we list below typical items that we would usually accept and some that we would not. Please note that the site does not peer review postings. Our concerns are purely for acceptability of type of subject and our legal obligations. It is the author's responsibility to ensure that material published on the site has been cleared for publication by the appropriate line management.

1. Embargoes

Breaking of embargoes is unacceptable and will count as misuse of the site and may lead to the removal of access rights. If you are unsure about the operation of embargoes please consult the AlphaGalileo FAQ.

2. Always acceptable on the site

Research discoveries or results based on a paper accepted for publication in a peer reviewed journal. The journal must be specified and if necessary an embargo applied that matches that of the journal.

3. Usually acceptable on the site

Research discoveries
Research results
Conferences to discuss research
Press conferences to introduce new research findings
Results from technological or industry research issued by the press officer from a company or research organisation
Science and engineering policy news issued by policy-making bodies
Major funding decisions taken by governments or international bodies
New books, videos, exhibitions, etc, that are likely to have major implications for the public dialogue on science (see also: Usually unacceptable)
Material based on work carried out by a European-based research body outside of Europe
Success in gaining a major research contract by a university, research institute or other body

4. Usually unacceptable

Routine staff appointments
Routine honorary degree, etc, awards
Material based on work carried out by a non-European-based research body outside of Europe
Routine commercial launches of science books, videos, exhibitions, etc

5. Unacceptable

Material related to research carried out by non-European research organisations
Any material that in the Editor’s opinion would bring the site into disrepute.

6. Who can register to use or post material to the site?

Journalists

To register as a journalist and be able to see embargoed press releases and event information, proof may be required that you work as a journalist. Freelance and staff journalists from within and outside Europe are welcome. Full membership of an appropriate journalists' group (for example any of the constituent bodies of the European Union of Science Journalists Associations or the National Science Writers Association) is the simplest and quickest way of ensuring registration.

Contributors

To register as a contributor and be able to post material you must hold a position in a university or other research body based in Europe at head of department level or above or work within a science public relations or science promotion department. AlphaGalileo does not peer review postings. You should ensure that any item you post has been cleared under whatever publishing procedures and clearances your organisation requires.

The duty team member will be pleased to advise if you are unsure of your eligibility. Contributors will not be able to see any embargoed material other than items they have posted, where they will have editing rights.

Europe is defined as including all the countries associated with the Council of Europe: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

If you are uncertain of your eligibility please contact the AlphaGalileo team at: alphagalileo@alphagalileo.org.