C4DISC (Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications) has launched a groundbreaking resource as part of its expanding Toolkit for Equity Series: the A Focused Toolkit for Journal Editors and Publishers. This latest addition aims to empower editors and publishers in their efforts to cultivate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within editorial roles and the peer review process.
Accessible via the C4DISC website, the toolkit offers actionable recommendations to foster a more inclusive editorial and reviewer community, providing practical guidance for enhancing representation and minimizing bias. Five key recommendations are explored in detail:
• Inclusive Culture and Mission: Strategies to develop an inclusive editorial mission and foster a culture of belonging.
• Data Collection and Reporting: Guidance on collecting and reporting demographic data to inform diversity goals.
• Broad and Intentional Recruitment: Methods to broaden recruitment efforts and engage marginalized communities.
• Skills Development: Opportunities for skill development and experience in core scholarship areas.
• Equitable Peer Review: Resources such as bias-free language guidelines and more equitable peer review models.
In a commitment to global engagement, translations of the toolkit in Spanish and Portuguese are forthcoming, expanding its accessibility and impact.
The genesis of this initiative can be traced back to the Outreach Subcommittee of the Society for Scholarly Publishing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. Acknowledgments are extended to subcommittee members, volunteers, and especially Susan Harris and Shaina Lange for their leadership in creating this invaluable resource.
As the scholarly community continues its journey towards greater diversity and inclusion, the Toolkit serves as a beacon of guidance, propelling the industry towards a more inclusive and equitable future in academic publishing.
Click here to read the original press release.
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