Faculty Research and Publication

I. PREAMBLE

At Atlas University, research is consecrated inquiry — the disciplined search for truth as worship. Every faculty publication is a covenantal act, joining intellect to revelation and reason to faith.

This manual governs the standards, procedures, and expectations for faculty research and publication, ensuring that all scholarly work honors the University’s mission, maintains academic excellence, and meets international benchmarks of integrity and rigor.

II. PURPOSE

  1. To codify the policies governing research and publication across all Academies.

  2. To maintain professional standards consistent with national and international academic practice.

  3. To protect the University’s intellectual property and reputation.

  4. To integrate research into the covenantal mission: Glorificatio Dei per Omnes Disciplinas.

III. SCOPE

This policy applies to all faculty members, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and students engaged in research or publication under the auspices of Atlas University.

IV. RESEARCH PRINCIPLES

Atlas University research is founded on five pillars:

  1. Truthfulness — All inquiry must be honest, verifiable, and faithful to evidence.

  2. Integration — Theological coherence and disciplinary precision are never in conflict.

  3. Accountability — Research outcomes must be transparent and reproducible.

  4. Creativity — Original insight reflects divine imagination.

  5. Fruitfulness — Research must serve healing, renewal, and the expansion of wisdom in the world.

V. FACULTY RESEARCH EXPECTATIONS

  1. Active Scholarship: All full-time faculty must demonstrate ongoing research productivity, defined as peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or creative works annually.

  2. Mission Alignment: Projects must explicitly relate to the University’s motto and intellectual charter.

  3. Research Plan: Each faculty member submits an annual Research Plan Statement (Form RP-01) to the Dean, outlining goals, methodologies, and expected outputs.

  4. Mentorship: Senior faculty must mentor junior colleagues and students in scholarly writing and publication ethics.

VI. INTERNAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL

  1. Research Proposal Submission: Prior to commencement, faculty research projects require registration with the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI).

  2. Ethical Approval: Projects involving human subjects, sensitive data, or external collaboration require clearance by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

  3. Faculty Peer Review: Departments conduct pre-publication peer reviews for quality and doctrinal integrity.

  4. Provost Certification: Final approval for external submission is certified by the Provost or ORI Director.

VII. PUBLICATION STANDARDS

1. Peer-Reviewed Journals

Faculty are encouraged to publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals consistent with their discipline and the University’s mission.

2. University Publications

Atlas maintains its own scholarly press, Klesia Press, and a portfolio of official academic journals, including:

  • The Journal of Covenant Psychology

  • The Atlas Review of Terrain Medicine and Biological Theology

  • The Celestial Arts Quarterly

  • The Journal of Law and Covenant Economics

  • The Atlas Theological Review

Submissions to University journals undergo double-blind peer review and editorial board evaluation.

3. Authorship Criteria

To be credited as an author, an individual must have:

  • Contributed substantially to conception or analysis;

  • Drafted or critically revised the work;

  • Approved the final version; and

  • Accepted responsibility for its integrity.

Honorary or “gift” authorship is prohibited.

4. Acknowledgment of Support

All publications must include acknowledgment of Atlas University and any external funding sources.

VIII. ETHICS IN RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION

Atlas University enforces strict adherence to ethical standards equivalent to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)and ICMJE guidelines.

Prohibited Practices

  • Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.

  • Redundant or duplicate publication.

  • Inappropriate data manipulation or selective reporting.

  • Violation of human or animal subject ethics.

  • Misuse of confidential or proprietary information.

Plagiarism Detection

All submissions are screened using advanced plagiarism-detection software through the Atlas Integrity System (AIS). Verified violations result in formal disciplinary action and potential termination.

IX. COPYRIGHT, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OWNERSHIP

In accordance with the Research and Intellectual Property Policy Manual, all works produced by Atlas faculty are the exclusive property of Atlas University, Inc.

Faculty retain the moral right of authorship and receive recognition, royalties, or revenue participation as designated by University policy, but legal ownership rests with the institution.

X. COLLABORATIVE AND EXTERNAL RESEARCH

  1. Partnership Agreements: External collaborations require written agreements approved by the Office of Research and Innovation, specifying intellectual-property rights and revenue sharing.

  2. Confidentiality: Faculty must protect proprietary or classified information obtained through partnerships.

  3. International Research: Projects conducted abroad must comply with both U.S. and host-country regulations.

XI. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Faculty must disclose any potential conflicts involving financial interests, sponsorships, or personal relationships that could influence research judgment.
Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Forms (Form CI-01) are required.

XII. FACULTY PUBLICATION SERIES

Atlas University shall maintain its own internal publication ecosystem to foster thought leadership:

  1. Atlas University Press (AUP) – peer-reviewed monographs, textbooks, and translations.

  2. Klesia Press – interdisciplinary journals and creative works.

  3. Atlas Occasional Papers – rapid publications of significant emerging research.

  4. The Covenant Scholar Series – faculty-authored books exemplifying the University’s integration of theology and science.

All University-sponsored publications undergo professional editing, design, and international indexing.

XIII. RESEARCH FUNDING AND GRANTS

  1. Internal Grants: Competitive research grants available annually through the ORI.

  2. External Grants: Faculty may apply for external funding with ORI oversight.

  3. Grant Administration: Budgets, expenditures, and reports managed by the Office of Finance; unused funds revert to the institutional research endowment.

XIV. DATA MANAGEMENT AND ACCESS

Research data are institutional assets.

  • Data must be stored securely and preserved for at least seven (7) years.

  • Access to raw data granted only through ORI authorization.

  • Public-access requests evaluated under FERPA and HIPAA compliance.

XV. FACULTY PERFORMANCE METRICS

Each faculty member’s annual review includes quantitative and qualitative research metrics:

  • Number of peer-reviewed publications and impact factor.

  • Citations, grants, and conference presentations.

  • Student research mentorships.

  • Integration of faith and discipline as reflected in outputs.

Results feed into the Institutional Effectiveness system for accreditation reporting.

XVI. SPIRITUAL AND MORAL DIMENSION OF SCHOLARSHIP

Atlas affirms that research divorced from reverence becomes sterile.
Every paper, experiment, or discovery must begin with the recognition that all knowledge belongs to God. Faculty are encouraged to begin research projects with prayer and to dedicate published works to divine glory.

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

XVII. ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS

Violations of this Manual—academic misconduct, misrepresentation, or breach of ownership policy—will be investigated by the Research Integrity Committee and may result in sanctions ranging from reprimand to dismissal, consistent with the Faculty Handbook and University bylaws.

XVIII. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

This Manual shall be reviewed biennially by the Office of Research and Innovation in consultation with the Faculty Senate. Amendments require approval by the Provost, endorsement by the President, and ratification by the Board of Trustees.