Academic publishing requires linguistically inclusive policies

Area of Science:

• Biological Sciences
• Academic Publishing
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Background:

• Scientific knowledge production is global, yet predominantly published in English.
• This linguistic dominance creates barriers for non-native English speakers, hindering global knowledge transfer and equity in STEM.
• Addressing these barriers is crucial for tackling global challenges and promoting diversity in science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the linguistic inclusivity of biological science journals.
• To identify factors influencing journal policies on linguistic inclusivity.
• To propose strategies for overcoming language barriers in academic publishing.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed policies of 736 journals in biological sciences.
• Analyzed journal impact factor, ownership (society vs. commercial), open access rates, and editor demographics.
• Evaluated the association between these factors and the adoption of inclusive language policies.

Main Results:

• Most journals exhibit minimal efforts towards linguistic inclusivity.
• Higher journal impact factors were negatively associated with inclusive policies.
• Journals owned by scientific societies showed a positive association with inclusivity, while open access and editor location had minimal impact.

Conclusions:

• Current academic publishing practices present significant linguistic barriers.
• Revising power dynamics between publishers and editorial boards is essential.
• Implementing inclusive policies is vital for equitable global knowledge dissemination in STEM.