Our duty

Our duty is to our readers and the public. We publish with care: fair, accurate, and thorough—never rushed, never careless.

What we are

Art and Materials Lab is an international editorial lab for art, materials, sustainability, and unconventional applications. We exist for content, detail, process—and the cultural conversations they can ignite.

Editorial independence (the firewall)

• We maintain a transparent firewall between editorial and business activities.

• The editorial team makes editorial decisions.

• Sponsorships, advertising, partnerships, or fundraising never determine coverage decisions.

• We may accept support aligned with our mission, but we retain complete editorial control over what we publish and how we publish it.

Accuracy & verification

We aim to be precise and accountable.

• We verify key facts where reasonably possible.

• We link to primary sources when available.

• We label opinion, estimates, and uncertainty.

• We never knowingly publish false information.

When we make mistakes, we correct promptly and prominently (see Corrections & Clarifications).

Identity & honesty in reporting

We do not misrepresent or conceal our identity when reporting.

Sources: on the record / off the record

Once we identify ourselves as journalists/editors working on a story, we assume conversations are on the record.

• Off the record requires prior agreement by both parties.

• We do not accept retroactive “off the record” requests once information has been shared.

Anonymity

Anonymity is exceptional, not routine.

• Reporters must consult an editor before granting anonymity.

• An editor must know a source’s true identity to assess credibility and fairness (and verification may require limited internal access).

• When anonymity is granted, we explain why and describe the person’s role as clearly as possible.

• We do not present a single person as a source, and we do not create composite characters without disclosure.

• We reserve anonymity for cases where disclosure could cause undue harm (e.g., job loss, harassment, legal risk, physical danger). Corporate spokespeople generally do not qualify.

Respect & harm minimisation

We treat sources, subjects, and readers with respect. We consider the implications of what we publish—especially when it could expose vulnerable people to harm.

Diversity & proximity

We uplift diverse voices by prioritising contributors close to the communities, scenes, and practices being covered—especially those less represented in mainstream coverage.

Conflicts of interest

We avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest.

• All staff and contributors must disclose:

• financial ties, paid work, commissions, employment relationships, family ties

• equity ownership in entities we cover (direct or indirect)

• gifts, samples, travel support, or hospitality related to coverage

If a conflict cannot be managed transparently, we do not publish.

Gifts, compensation, and promises

We do not accept substantive gifts or compensation in exchange for information or coverage.

• No cash payments.

• No “strings attached.

• We never promise favourable coverage in exchange for access, participation, or support.

Threshold: Gifts above £200 (or cumulative above £100/12 months from one source) must be declined, returned, or disclosed and approved by editorial leadership.

Travel support & honorariums

Travel or accommodation support for conferences/events requires prior approval from editorial leadership and must not include any promise of favourable coverage or censorship.

Honorariums for speaking/moderating require approval and cannot be tied to coverage outcomes.

Sponsored / Partner content

We never disguise paid content as independent editorial.

• Sponsored or partner pieces are labelled clearly at the top of the page.

• Disclosures state who funded the work and what support was provided.

• Editorial standards still apply.

AI policy

We may use tools to support research, translation, editing, or workflow.

• A human editor is responsible for every published piece.

• Material AI use that meaningfully shapes published text/images is disclosed.

• We do not publish AI-generated content as if it were human-reported.

Social media conduct

We maintain professionalism on social media and do not encourage harassment.

Contributors speak on their own behalf; their opinions do not automatically represent the organisation.