Do I need to indicate potential conflicts of interest when submitting my work?

Yes, authors have an unequivocal ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when submitting academic work for publication or presentation. Transparency regarding competing interests is a fundamental requirement of scholarly integrity to ensure objectivity and trustworthiness. Disclosure is necessary for any financial (e.g., grants, funding, employment, stock ownership), personal, professional, or academic relationship that could inappropriately influence or be perceived to influence the work. This includes affiliations, funding sources, and any relevant non-financial interests. Journals, conferences, and institutions provide specific declaration forms or sections within the manuscript for this purpose. Failure to disclose potential conflicts can undermine credibility, lead to rejection or retraction, and constitute research misconduct. This declaration typically appears in a dedicated "Conflict of Interest" or "Disclosure" section within the manuscript or upon submission. Authors must consult the specific submission guidelines of the target venue regarding format and required level of detail. Honest disclosure protects authors' reputations, safeguards the peer review process, and allows readers to assess potential biases.