Journal publishers studying authors’ diversity

A growing group of journal publishers is taking a closer look at the diversity of their authors. Nature reports that over 50 publishers representing over 15,000 journals around the world are preparing to ask their authors about their race, ethnicity and gender. “Publishers say that this information, gathered and stored securely, will help to analyze who is represented in journals, and to identify whether there are biases in editing or review that sway which findings get published,” Nature reports. “Pilot testing suggests that many scientists support the idea, although not all.”

Participating publishers include Wyley, which publishes TWS’ journals, as well as Science Journals, Elsevier, Springer Nature Group, the British Ecological Society, Canadian Science Publishing, PLOS, PNAS and The Royal Society Publishing.

Read more from Nature.