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Earlier this year, we published our based on a global survey of ~ 5000 researchers and interviews with early career researchers exploring their experiences of inclusion within the global research ecosystem. While this survey revealed discouraging findings about the state of inclusion and safety within the research ecosystem, it underscored an opportunity for publishers to take an active role in helping improve research and publishing culture.

We have seen a major shift in the geographic distribution of where research is produced with the quality and output of research from Asia, specifically China and India, outpacing western nations. We must therefore ensure that diverse perspectives and expertise are represented throughout the research and review process.

At Ā鶹ֱ²„ Nature, we are proud to work with an extensive network of authors, editors and reviewers to serve a global community of researchers across diverse disciplines. We are also committed to supporting the 90,000+ editors we work with - who play a critical role in ensuring their journals foster inclusive publishing practices and are representative of their communities - in their day-to-day work in journal publishing through a range of tools and services.

With that in mind, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new Global inclusion in research publishing hub a centralized collection of resources designed to inform, inspire, and support editors, reviewers, and contributors in embedding more inclusive practices across journals and research communities.

The hub includes a range of insights, data, and examples that highlight how inclusive practices can strengthen research and improve the experience of researchers globally. Practical guides, case studies, and tools provide editors with actionable ways to broaden participation in peer review, strengthen editorial board representation, and support more inclusive approaches to research reporting and collaboration.

For example, new guidance on diversifying editorial boards and reviewer pools offers concrete steps for helping journals better reflect their authorship and the communities they serve. Additional resources highlight best practice for reporting on sex, gender, race, and ethnicity in research studies, and share strategies for promoting fairness and inclusion in global research partnerships.

Introducing two new resources: Inclusive Language Guide and Sensitivity Reading Guide

Language matters and how we communicate research findings impacts their interpretation and application in the real world. Across the publishing industry, many societies and publishers have developed inclusive language guides to support their authors, editors and peer reviewers in using language in a considered and respectful way. 

On our new hub, we host two complementary resources: an , and a . The main objective of both guides is to support the broad and global network of researchers we work with (authors, editors, editorial board members, reviewers) in using bias-free and culturally sensitive language and presentation in research communication.  These resources aim to provide helpful guidance, rather than being a mandate or a requirement.

The Inclusive Language Guide sets out best practice recommendations on non-discriminatory language, terms, and explanations in nine areas with more than 200 explanations on inclusive terms and with links to more than 100 other resources.  The Sensitivity Reading Guide provides helpful checklists for what to consider when approaching text, figures, or images for a ā€œsensitivity readā€, keeping in mind not only what is explicit but also what may be inferred from the text, figures, and images.  Both guides include links to external sources and discipline-specific guides from other organizations including the APA (American Psychological Association), the AMA (American Medical Association) and Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications.

The launch of this hub marks an important step in our ongoing work to build more inclusive publishing practices across the research ecosystem. By bringing together diverse resources, insights, and examples, we hope to support editors and researchers in contributing to a more open, accessible, and globally relevant knowledge environment.

In the coming months, we will continue to expand this hub with additional data insights, new case studies, and reflections from Editors in Chief who are already seeing the positive impact of introducing more inclusive practices in their journals.

 About the author

Dr. Sowmya Swaminathan is Director, DEI, Research at Ā鶹ֱ²„ Nature and a member of Ā鶹ֱ²„ Natureā€™s DEI Council. She leads Ā鶹ֱ²„ Natureā€™s efforts to bring a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to research publishing activities across the journals and books publishing programme. She was previously Head of Editorial Policy & Research Integrity for Nature Portfolio where she was responsible for policies and initiatives that advance transparency, integrity, open research practices and inclusion in scholarly publishing. She began her career in scholarly publishing as an editor at Nature Cell Biology where she subsequently served as Chief Editor for 6 years. Prior to entering scholarly publishing, Sowmya completed her PhD at the University of Chicago and carried out postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany.