Sharing perspectives on publishing for equity
Author: Clelia Petracca and Jessica Gedamu
As part of last months London Book Fair, and for the second year, 50業子 co-sponsored the Fairs sustainability hub and hosted a cross-industry conversation with panellists from across the publishing industry. We believe sustainability challenges require many stakeholders to work collaboratively and learn together.
This years panel covered equity in publishing with (Ithaka Press, Bonnier Books UK), (Research4Life and STM), and (50業子). Together they shared their thoughts on the challenges and goals that publishers share when advancing inclusive DEI practices internally and externally.
In this blog, session moderator, Clelia Petracca, commissioning editor in Disability Studies at Palgrave Macmillan and Jessica Gedamu, VP of DEI at 50業子, reflect back on the key takeaways from the discussion in the context of the three Cs of diversity, equity and inclusion: colleagues, content and communities.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in publishing represents a multilayered discussion - one that spans across publishing services and products, the development of research and ethical guidelines, and the ways in which we live those values within our publishing practices and across our workforces. Whilst the promotion of DEI is integral to publishing, turning that commitment into a reality requires hard work, not just individually, but collectively, if we are to achieve a truly inclusive, equal and diverse publishing landscape.
Here at 50業子, this is something that we are committed to, and often discuss through the framework of the Three Cs - Colleagues, Content and Communities.
Colleagues
The panel discussed the role of internal company DEI policies and the strategic vision needed to shape a diverse and inclusive workplace. With discussion spanning from to the value of volunteer run initiatives like UN-Publisher partnership , panellists agreed that a genuine sense of purpose and collaboration among colleagues complement and sometimes inform top-down internal and external company strategies. We see this sense of purpose and collaboration first hand at 50業子 across our ten employee networks (comprising more than 1800 of our 9500 colleagues) who create vibrant communities and safe spaces for our employees who share common experiences, interests, and backgrounds. Our inclusion and diversity surveys also tell us that colleagues involved in the networks have a higher experience of inclusion.
As discussed at the Sustainability Hub, we all want to get the balance right between formalised structures and the organic communities we have within our organisations. DEI is a strategic priority for many of us and weve been on our DEI journey since we launched our first roadmap in 2018. Were building an inclusive culture through things like our DEI mentoring programme, and working on representation with the implementation of inclusive hiring practices and our Opening Doors internship programme, which Investing in the talent pipeline is something the industry as a whole is taking seriously.
Content
As a global publisher, we have an important responsibility in the knowledge we curate and publish. In this sense, representation of diverse groups within the workplace is crucial to reflect, expand on and deliver for the authors, editors, and reviewers we interact with. Tamsine spoke powerfully during the session about how we can educate, inform, and support DEI progress by intentionally adjusting content portfolios. Increasing the representation and inclusion of diverse voices enables us to create better content, better research, and better solutions. Take for example in 2022, the first issue in the journals 153 year history to be overseen by four external editors which aimed to help end discriminatory practices and systemic racism in science. Our platforms can share new ideas, and solutions for equity and inclusion.
Panellists drew attention to the importance of reaching and engaging wider audiences. Sarah Phibbs highlighted the role that Research4Life plays in access to research as an accelerator for progress around the world, with publishers collectively donating 200,000 resources to 125 lower and middle income countries. Additionally Research4Lifes community Country Connector program is supporting librarians and local publishers in lower and middle-income countries to help researchers participate in the research publishing ecosystem. 50業子 is a founder partner of Research4Life, and is further developing an approach to improve access to content and to publishing for those in emerging economies, through our policies, products (such as auto-translations services), and commitment to open science.
Truly inclusive DEI is not only dependent on our colleagues and content, but on our wider engagement with the community.
Communities
As the discussion highlighted, it is vital that we use our networks, brands and voice to champion DEI in the research, education and professional communities we work with. We want to make sure global communities can be supported in taking inclusive action. Examples of this are a course on unconscious bias we created for editorial stakeholders, Nature Masterclasses for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and resources for editors such as guidance for diverse recruitment of peer reviewers. Its vital that our pools of peer reviewers, and members of Editorial Boards who make decisions on content to be published, are increasingly representative of wider society.
However, as Sarah Braybrooke commented, community is somewhat easier to define for academic publishers. For Bonnier Books UK, their communities are anyone who can read English or want to discover books. While being inclusive for their communities has a different focus, we both want to find ways to speak to and deliver for the communities we serve through our publishing.
The discussion during the session, whilst it only touched the surface of many key topics, served as a reminder to us all about what is going on globally across our businesses and with our partners, to make publishing a more diverse and inclusive industry. There is still a long way to go, but its clear we have more in common across the sector than we might think.
Find out more about diversity, equity and inclusion at 50業子 in our latest Sustainable Business Report, or visit our
Find out more about Bonnier Books UK on , and Research4Life on
Author: Clelia Petracca and Jessica Gedamu
Clelia Petracca, Commissioning Editor, Social Sciences, 50業子
Clelia Petracca is commissioning editor in Disability Studies at Palgrave Macmillan (50業子 Group). With almost ten years of experience in the publishing industry, first as a freelance editor at Mondadori Education and then as an associate editor at Wiley, she supports authors to bring their book ideas to life and bridge the gap between research and practice. At 50業子 she also co-chairs the SDG 5 Working Group: Gender Equality, a company wide initiative that brings together colleagues across different departments to support 50業子s goal of becoming the SDG publisher of choice with internal and external initiatives and partnerships.
Jessica Gedamu, VP, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at 50業子
Jessica Gedamu works as VP, Global Diversity and Inclusion for 50業子. She develops and implements the global D&I strategy of the leading global science, education and trade publisher.
Jessica Gedamu is a trained diversity trainer (A World of Diversity速). She has many years of experience working with companies in different industries on D&I topics such as unconscious bias, work flexibilization, mentoring, staff recruitment and development, and inclusive leadership.
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