REGIONAL AND LOCAL JOURNALS IN THE ACADEMIC ECOSYSTEM

The increasing centralization of scientific publishing has forced high-impact journals to emphasize globally accessible research, potentially diminishing the visibility of findings that hold significance in a local context. In regions characterized by substantial historical, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity, such as Central Asia, regional journals provide a complementary role in maintaining the continuity and contextual depth of academic knowledge. In this context, by exemplifying Türkiye’s transformation in scientific publishing, it is highlighted that English-language publishing, international indexing, and the development of editorial standards can strengthen, rather than weaken, local academic production. Moreover, critical concerns include preventing errors and retractions in regional journals, reducing the risk of publication ethical breaches, enhancing peer-review procedures, and reducing dependence on commercial editorial agencies. Incorporating training in editorial procedures, academic writing, publication ethics, and digital literacy during the early phases of a career is essential for fostering a sustainable publishing culture. Consequently, regional journals should be regarded not as secondary aspects of the global academic framework but as essential constituents that maintain the diversity of knowledge and contextual integrity.