Through this, the company aims to play its part in tackling the challenges, inequalities and injustices Indigenous communities face.
As part of this, Emerald is calling for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in academic research for three core groups:
- Research participants that have been overlooked in research design
- Knowledge holders whose contribution has not been recognised or rewarded
- Academics that have not had the same opportunities as their counterparts
The challenges for Indigenous communities are multifaceted, complex and experienced in different ways, says Emerald. Recognising that Emerald didn’t have these experiences within its organisation, it has established an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Board including Indigenous researchers from around the world who will provide Emerald the publisher with advice and guidance.
With their help, Emerald says it aims to play its part in promoting the voices of Indigenous communities and use their active contribution to publish research that can address these challenges. Through this, Emerald aims to catalyse change towards a more equitable research partnership that integrates Indigenous communities’ knowledge and ways of being into research.
During 2022, Emerald will place a strong emphasis on commissioning content linked to issues Indigenous communities face. A lack of diversity, of proper health and care management systems, and of sustainable environment management that is respectful of ancestor’s lands are covered with Emerald’s missions. These missions with be delivered across its four content streams and link to the UN SDGs:
- Fairer Society explores the concept of stewardship as an essential element to creating and sustaining a fairer world
- Healthier Lives zones in on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities, including culturally appropriate interventions
- Quality Education for All looks at diversifying the curriculum, with attention on inclusive learning
- Responsible Management examines diversity in the boardroom, including the involvement of underrepresented communities.
Sally Wilson, Publishing Director at Emerald, commented: “We have been working for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in academic research as a founding signatory of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Publishers Compact.
“While we can see growing support for EDI in research across the sector, historically marginalised communities are still too often left out of the conversation and opportunities to learn from these communities are missed.
“Through this focus, we will be highlighting the experiences and challenges Indigenous communities tell us they face as well as calling for research aligned to our four missions.
“By pushing for change and calling out inequity, we lend our voice to those calling for a fairer and more inclusive research environment for Indigenous communities.”
Ana Luíza Rossato Facco, PhD candidate at Unisinos Business School and member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Board, added: “I’m a very passionate Early Career Researcher, so to be part of this campaign represents for me a chance that my research achieves a fairer society.
“To improve my work, I need to collaborate with other researchers, meet people who are interested in the same topic and increase my knowledge of this issue. It’s also an opportunity to keep learning about Indigenous peoples and raise awareness.”
This activity forms part of Emerald’s Power of Diverse Voices campaign which launched in 2020 and aims to amplify the voices of the underrepresented to create a more equitable research environment. Emerald this year also relaunched its Impact Manifesto, pledging six commitments for change that will advance ongoing debates around academic culture, incentives and research evaluation, including a commitment to develop more equitable and accessible ways to publish research.
As part of Emerald’s commitment to the provision of quality education for all, last year it launched its First Voices First project to open up access to research to a selection of Indigenous post-secondary institutions and communities in partnership with The Council of Prairie and Pacific Libraries (COPPUL).
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