Discoverability of our SDG content
IOS Press actively works on the promotion of SDG-related content. Moreover, editors are invited to consider the goals established by the UN when inviting submissions, editing special issues, and/or promoting journals in their communities.
Since Q4 2022, each IOS Press journal has information about the SDGs relating to the content it publishes. This new feature is enabled by our linked data tool, LD Connect, which scans all articles published by IOS Press based on the search strings developed for Scopus to identify SDG-related content. Highlighted SDG-related content is shared quarterly on the IOS Press SDG page and starting in 2023, our goal is for all SDG content to be available on a dedicated page, organized by SDG and by publication. We also aim to implement the guidance provided by the SDG Publishers Compact Fellows to further improve the discoverability of the SDG-related content published in our journals and books.
SDG-focused actions are also in place for a number of our publications. The activities employed by four of the journals are highlighted below:
- Environmental Policy and Law has a dedicated section on sustainability where readers can find the content published in the journal on the topic, but also access information about other sources such as webinars and events. In the special event series “Our Earth Matters”, a panel of invited authors re-examine the current global approaches and explore the future trajectory for international environmental governance in the 21st century and beyond.
- Information Polity recently published two special issues addressing themes related to SDGs. In the special issue Digital Government and Gender, experts explore the persisting digital gender gap in digital government research and practice as well as present a vision for future research. The articles in the special issue Inclusion and E-Government demonstrate the importance of digital inclusion from a range of perspectives, using a variety of methods in several different contexts. Planned for publication in 2023, the special issue Digital Government and Sustainable Development Goals currently has an open call for papers.
- The Statistical Journal of the IAOS regularly publishes articles related to the SDGs and many of them are featured in our SDG content section. The journal also features a discussion platform with topics relevant to SDGs.
- Work regularly publishes content relating to the SDGs and in addition, offers a webinar series that is freely available to all.
SDG analytics in IOS Press journals
To assess and improve our compliance with SDG 10, reduced inequalities, we analyzed the geographical distribution of our journals’ editorial board members and authors. Knowing the geographic location of our authors helps us understand their accessibility needs, which enables us to create better policies. This benefits not only our editors and authors, but also our readers, including researchers and practitioners in lower-income countries. While this action is directly linked to SDG 10, it also supports the sharing of knowledge which relates to all SDGs.
The editorial board members of approximately half of our journals have also been assessed in relation to gender. Our goal is to expand this assessment to all our titles in 2023. With data from April 2022, the assessment has shown that two-thirds of our editorial board members are male. As a result, conscious efforts are being made together with editors-in-chief to ensure more even gender representation where possible, in line with SDG 5, gender equality.
The IOS Press SDG working group will provide editors-in-chief with up-to-date journal data relating to SDGs 5 and 10 on a yearly basis, along with updated guidance for reducing inequality within the journal community.
Changing the mindset
One of the points we committed to when joining the SDG Publishers Compact was to take action on at least one of the SDG goals. As the working group developed, several goals were addressed:
SDG 5, gender equality
In an effort to tackle SDG 5 more efficiently, we published a Diversity and Inclusion Statement, to which many of our editors have already adhered; signed a joint commitment for action on inclusion and diversity in publishing; and also have representation in the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers’ working group on equality, diversity and inclusion. We work with the policies developed by the joint commitment and ALPSP EDI working group for improving equality in our publications as well as our company.
SDG 10, reduced inequalities
IOS Press is a partner of Research4Life, benefiting institutions and researchers of lower-income countries. In addition to giving access to the research published by IOS Press, most of our journals with Article Processing Charges also use the Research4Life listing to waive the fees for researchers located in those countries. This ensures that not only researchers from lower-income countries have access to high-quality information but are able to share the knowledge they produce in our trustworthy publications.
SDG 12, responsible consumption and production
Throughout 2021 and 2022, a joint effort across the company has been taken to drastically reduce the number of print materials produced by IOS Press, in line with SDG 12. The number of printed journal copies has been reduced to a minimum and on-demand printing is being implemented to help us avoid unnecessary waste. Digital-based marketing also plays a major role in helping our company reduce printed materials. It is no longer standard practice to distribute printed journal copies when attending conferences and we have reduced the printing of other materials as much as possible, preferring the digital version wherever possible. Our responsible marketing practices have been implemented in 2022 and will be expanded in 2023.
SDG 13, climate action
In 2022, we signed up with Greencast to have our carbon footprint assessed. This was the first step towards becoming a carbon-neutral company. Actions already taken, for example in regard to SDG 12, should help us achieve this goal. In 2023, a full plan will be established based on the assessments we receive.
SDG 17, partnerships for the goals
In line with SDG 17, the printing companies we work with adhere to sustainable practices and are FSC® certified. In 2023, we will update our journal and book covers with this information. Moreover, our partnerships with other organizations, such as those listed in this post, are essential for our work as signatories of the SDG Publishers Compact.
Towards a sustainable future
While our work has just started, we have already seen many great developments with the actions that are currently in place. A major action point of 2023 will be to have the content of our books assessed for SDGs with the help of the SDG Publishers Compact Fellows. And of course, throughout the year, we will work towards further spreading the SDG-oriented ideas and actions among our colleagues, partners, editors, and authors. We are proud to be going beyond publishing SDG-related content in our publications and to be taking action as a company for a sustainable future.
If you are interested to hear more about IOS Press’s sustainable actions and recommendations, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch!
References
1. IOS Press Looking to the Future: Sustainable Development Goals By IOS Press SDG Working Group, September 2022.
2. Jayabalasingham, Bamini; Boverhof, Roy; Agnew, Kevin; Klein, Lisette (2019), “Identifying research supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”, Mendeley Data, V1, doi: 10.17632/87txkw7khs.1
