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Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion Seeks to Expand

The Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Communications (C4DISC) invites new members, partners, and volunteers to join efforts to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the scholarly communications industry.

C4DISC was formed in 2017 by a small group of trade and professional associations, including the Association of University Presses (AUPresses). Since then, the founding members have established a joint statement of principles, and defined the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Over the past year, with the generous support of Educopia, C4DISC has engaged in the formal process of developing an operational model and governance structure, under which AUPresses and the Society for Scholarly Publishing will serve as joint host organizations.

“We are pleased to be one of the founding members of this Coalition, working together towards inclusive practices within the scholarly communications ecosystem and in keeping with our Association’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism,” said Peter Berkery, AUPresses executive director.

C4DISC and its expanding membership will be able to meaningfully engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work within the scholarly communication ecosystem, valuing differences, welcoming diverse perspectives, learning from different communities, making space for marginalized voices, and eliminating barriers. 

Individuals and organizations can participate in the following ways:

  • Formal membership in C4DISC is available to consortia that represent the organizations and individuals who work in scholarly communications.
  • Organizations can get involved and have a voice in C4DISC initiatives directly as partners.
  • Individuals and organizations can contribute to the work of C4DISC by volunteering their time creating through working groups, making a donation, or adopting the Joint Statement of Principles.

C4DISC’s working groups will engage in concrete actions to improve DEI in scholarly communications. Two of these groups, forming now, will continue the work started by the initiative, “Toolkits for Equity: Transforming Scholarly Publishing Communities,” whose first toolkit is available on the C4DISC website.

More than 40 organizations, in addition to the founding members, have already expressed their support by adopting C4DISC’s Statement of Principles.

“The MIT Press is committed to embracing and supporting all who seek to contribute to scholarly communications, especially historically marginalized and underrepresented groups,” said Amy Brand, director of the MIT Press. “We are proud to adopt the C4DISC Statement of Principles as we work to advance equity, inclusion, diversity and accessibility within the academic publishing ecosystem.”

Read more about how you or your organization might participate or contact Melanie Dolechek for more information.

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Watch the video for the American Sign Language translation.

— AUPresses Mission Statement in American Sign Language