Founders
Introduction
When we founded Galenos Publishing House in 1997, we did not simply establish a publishing company; we took on the responsibility of creating a lasting structure that would shape the academic publishing landscape in Turkey. Academic publishing goes beyond printing or digital dissemination; it lies at the intersection of scientific integrity, universal access to knowledge, and the ideal of serving humanity. We shaped our publishing house with this vision.
The spirit of an institution is defined by the values of its founders. Galenos’ publishing philosophy rests on respect for academia, commitment to the universality of knowledge, social responsibility, and sustainable quality. We have always regarded publishing not as a “business” but as a mission, and we have made all our decisions in line with this principle.
Our Foundation Story
The establishment of Galenos was a turning point in the institutionalization of academic publishing in Turkey. In the late 1990s, most journals were produced through voluntary efforts, and processes lacked systematic organization. Prominent issues included:
Lack of online manuscript systems and limited internet use,
Ineffective communication between publishers, editors, and authors,
Inability to ensure continuity of publication,
Content failing to meet scientific and technical standards,
Very limited international visibility,
Disorganized communication between authors, reviewers, and editors,
Absence of ethical principles in editorial processes.
We sought a model to transform this situation. Our aim was not only to publish, but to systematize academic publishing, elevate it to international standards, and enhance Turkey’s academic visibility worldwide. What began with our first journals has evolved into numerous titles now indexed internationally. At every step, we have been guided by the question: “How does this publication contribute to science, society, and the future?”
Our Vision in Academic Publishing
What sustains a company is not only its organizational chart but also its worldview. Galenos’ vision goes beyond content production; it aims to build a culture that secures the continuity of academic values. Every article we publish represents both the ongoing accumulation of knowledge and the credibility of research.
The principles that shape our vision are:
Principled Publishing: A commitment to ethical reliability and methodological rigor, not merely to publishability.
Adding Value to Publishing: Providing strategic partnership not only in production but also in concept development, internationalization, impact factor growth, and reputation building.
Academic Ecosystem: Viewing the relationships among authors, reviewers, readers, and editors not only as procedural but also as a cultural interaction platform.
Contribution to Society: Making content related to health, science, and human life accessible, reliable, and up to date for the public.
Continuous Development: Updating strategies in response to changing needs and leading digital transformation.
This vision requires a form of leadership that goes far beyond daily operations, and it has been embedded into all levels of our organizational decision-making.
Sectoral Gaps and the Need for Transformation
In the 1990s, academic publishing in Turkey was largely voluntary, with almost no professional technical staff, standardized editorial processes, or sustainable infrastructures. Meanwhile, academic publishing worldwide had already become industrialized and integrated into systems that defined quality.
This gap not only hindered the international circulation of Turkish scholarship but also left locally produced knowledge largely invisible. We saw this not just as a consequence but as a responsibility, and it was this understanding that drove Galenos’ founding vision.
Why Galenos?
Our founding philosophy has never been just to “publish” but to transform the publishing model. The guiding questions for us were:
Why was it so difficult for scientists to have their work published?
Why were issues delayed, disrupted, and authors left unanswered?
Why were Turkish publications unable to gain visibility in international indexes?
Our answer was not isolated fixes but system-building: systematic workflows, specialized teams, editorial tools, and organizational models ensuring continuity.
In this way, Galenos has become not only a participant but also a leader of transformation in academic publishing in Turkey. We approach publishing not as an “end product” but as an impact process. This is why we continue to develop innovative solutions in editorial policies, peer review, typesetting, language editing, digital access, open science, and indexing strategies.
Facing Crises with Principles
Crises in publishing are inevitable; what matters is how they are addressed. In cases of ethical breaches, author disputes, scientific objections, or difficulties with indexing processes, we adhere to the following principles:
Institutions do not prevail; principles do.
Transparency and accountability are essential.
Editorial independence is protected and supported.
All stakeholders are informed, and solutions are developed collaboratively.
This approach demonstrates that our management carries not only administrative responsibilities but also ethical and cultural accountability.