Resources & Tools

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Research Publishing

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of strategic priorities at Springer Nature. We are committed to serving a diverse and global research community.

As editors, you play a pivotal role in championing inclusive practices and ensuring we reflect our diverse communities through our publication process. We have created this hub with actionable guides, data insights, reports, case studies, and more to inform, inspire and support you in developing inclusive publishing practices. 

Get the information and inspiration you need to be a DEI champion, and to make your journal inclusive, welcoming, and representative. Find out more about DEI across Springer Nature Group.

Insight diversity

Resources and guides for inclusive publishing

Wondering how you can incorporate and promote inclusive publishing practices? Use these resources and guides to take intentional steps toward greater inclusion. 

Inclusive Language Guide and Sensitivity Reading Guide

How we communicate research findings can have an impact on their interpretation and wider application.  Find out more about Springer Nature’s Inclusive Language Guide and Sensitivity Reading Guide – two resources to support editors, and others (including authors and peer reviewers), to use bias-free language and presentation in research communication.

Inclusive Language Guide
Inclusive Language Guide
(PDF, 597.58 KB)
Sensitivity Reading Guide
Sensitivity Reading Guide
(PDF, 298.73 KB)

Ensuring diversity and inclusion in editorial board and peer reviewer recruitment

It is vital that our editorial decision makers and our peer reviewers are representative of the global and diverse communities we serve. In these easy-to-use guides on editor and peer reviewer recruitment, you will find practical tips and resources for what to consider when creating diverse and representative editorial boards and peer reviewers.

Find out more about diversity and inclusion in editorial boards and peer reviewers.

Inclusion and ethics in global research collaborations

9783030157456Learn about the actions Springer Nature journals are taking to improve inclusion and equity in global research collaborations, and how to avoid helicopter research and ethics dumping using the TRUST Code: a global code of conduct for Equitable Research Partnerships.

Find out more: 

scientist image © Springer Nature 2023Inclusion in research study design

Learn about how Nature Portfolio journals are providing guidance to authors on how to report on sex and gender, race and ethnicity and other socially constructed categories in published research studies.  

Find out more about why and how to design research studies to be inclusive:

Data and insights on the state of DEI in research and publishing

Get the insights and data you need to understand the landscape of DEI in research publishing and take action supported by data.

The state of DEI in the global research community

This report provides insights into the perceptions and experience of DEI within the global research community. Find out what researchers consider to be the leading barriers to advancing on DEI, how they perceive and evaluate DEI initiatives, and learn about the challenges of underrepresented groups in the research community.