Publisher–Society partnerships to further image accessibility and global inclusivity in the Humanities and Social Sciences: Comparing top‐down and bottom‐up approaches

Abstract

Key points Collaboration between publishers and learned society partners can accelerate and amplify DEIA outcomes. 97 HSS titles have adopted alt‐text publication workflows and this change has been welcomed by journal authors and editors. Efforts to promote global inclusivity do not always result in greater membership diversity, retention and growth. Top‐down, publisher‐led DEIA initiatives are effective when they are aligned strategically to pre‐existing society initiatives. Bottom‐up, member‐led DEIA initiatives benefit from publisher support to mitigate financial and time‐based barriers to active participation. To reliably track DEIA outcomes, publishers ought to adopt systematic data collection strategies through initiatives like C4 and the Joint Commitment.