Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Board

Improving gender balance in academic research globally

Inequities in academic research manifest in many ways: from the low proportion of women who are tenured professors, to the low rates of grants awarded to women and researchers who are members of underrepresented racial & ethnic groups in research, to the lack of appropriate sex and gender-based analysis in research studies.

We are helping enhance diversity and inclusion in research across gender, race & ethnicity, and geographical dimensions and ensure that research is conducted and reported in the most equitable and inclusive manner possible.

I&D Hub

Knowledge and innovation are born of diversity: diversity of people, ideas, thought, culture and perspective. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and to driving that in research, in health, and in our own organization.

Through the creation of an Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we resolve to:

Work with research leaders, funding bodies and higher education institutions to drive gender and racial & ethnic equity across the STEM academic career path

Work with academics, publishers, and funders to promote greater gender and racial & ethnic diversity and inclusion as well as geographic representation in editorial boards, peer review and scientific conferences while supporting publication and inclusive participation in research

Promote inclusion and diversity best practices to help foster diverse and inclusive future generations of STEM graduates

Encourage enhanced sex and gender-based analysis and reporting in research studies

Work with our network of stakeholders to influence and address inequality in the communities we serve

Publish an annual report to highlight areas of progress and summarize the actions of the I&D Advisory Board

Elsevier Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Board 2020 - 2021 report

Download the full report (opens in new tab/window)

Elsevier initiatives

The future of science depends on a robust and diverse workforce drawn from all corners of society. Our partnerships focus on fostering inclusive policy and advancing women scientists in developing countries. Since 2005, the Elsevier Foundation(opens in new tab/window) works in partnership with knowledge-centered institutions around the world, supporting innovations for inclusive health and research. Working toward racial and social equality: free access to curated research related to systemic racism, healthcare bias, racial violence, law enforcement reform and social justice movements. Discover the RELX SDG Resource Centre(opens in new tab/window), showcasing the latest in science, law, business, events and more that can help drive forward the SDGs.

The Board

The mission of the Board is to create a more equitable research ecosystem by:

Drive I&D initiatives that lead to positive change in gender and race & ethnicity diversity and inclusion and geographic representation in academic research.
Help set standards and best practices that drive unbiased, robust decisions incorporating I&D principles in research.
Influence and improve gender and racial & ethnic diversity and inclusion and geographic representation in research funding, editorial boards, peer review and scientific conferences and ensure that research is conducted and reported in the most equitable and inclusive manner possible.