Q: What is inclusion or inclusivity?

Inclusion or inclusivity is the philosophy and practice of bringing in people from varied backgrounds and to consider various perspectives. Apart from ensuring that all people and viewpoints are included, this is also aimed to make an effort richer and more authentic.

The scope of this topic is very vast, so we shall keep it to research and research publishing, which is the scope of our efforts. An example of inclusivity would be a journal editor sending out a peer review invite to a researcher from an emerging geography. Another would be in writing, where when referring to a non-specific person, you don’t use ‘he’ as a default, but rather ‘they.’

For more help and insights into the matter of inclusivity, you may find the following resources useful:

• Maintaining diversity and inclusion in editorial and peer review positions: A journal editor's perspective
• Sensitivity in scientific writing
• When to use "woman" and "female" in scientific writing?

Hope that helps. Here’s to a more inclusive world!​​​​​​​