The global anti-racism protests have rallied millions to join the long walk towards full inclusivity and equity in society. They have raised a collective voice against social inequalities and injustice in unmistakable terms. They have triggered rigorous debate and a demand for action not only in society at large, but also in science and the institutions associated with science, including in our own organization.  

The message has sharply resonated throughout the Frontiers community, with ideas for initiatives emerging spontaneously from our staff and editors. One point is clear: we all recognize the responsibility to stand in solidarity with those who call for an end to racism, and we recognize the responsibility to act. We may not be able to fix racism and social injustice at large, but as a scientific publisher, we will contribute our resources and expertise to make a difference. 

Frontiers stands with our Black colleagues, authors, reviewers, editors and readers, and with all people affected by systemic racism and prejudice. We are listening to their voices and will work as a single community towards the building of an equitable and inclusive society.  

Our global research community of over 100,000 editors and reviewers is guided by a clear mission: Make all science open so that everybody can live a healthy life on a healthy planet. In 2017, we committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, SDG 10 calls for the “reduction of inequality within and among countries,” a theme which has inspired several Frontiers editorial projects, which will be highlighted on a new Knowledge Hub. We will continue to leverage our platform and global networks to seek and implement new initiatives and to amplify the call for a more inclusive world, for scientists and all citizens.   

Diversity, inclusion and equity make us stronger. With 700 employees from more than 50 different nations, we strive to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We are gender balanced at both the leadership and staff level.  Research shows that a management approach that sustains diversity makes better sense. But conscious and subconscious biases must still be addressed, and we are committed to learning and improving. We want Frontiers to be a safe and welcoming place for all people – a place that encourages open debate with empathy, respect and support. 

Words express solidarity and a position, but a better world is only built through action.  

This is how we believe we can make a concrete difference within the scope of our mission and expertise:  

1. We will launch and promote the Diversity and Equity Knowledge Hub. This hub will: 

   • Highlight research on discrimination and institutionalized racism and how it can be abolished to foster an equitable society. 

   • Promote scientists of Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups, and their work to highlight role models for all of academia, the public and - within the scope of our Frontiers for Young Minds journal - for young people.  

   • Promote journals, journal sections and research topics that focus on revealing and reducing racial inequality. 

2. We will bring on more researchers of color onto our editorial boards. We will apply lessons learned from our gender equity initiatives and increasing the share of Asian editors and reviewers on our boards as well. 

3. We will launch and promote more Research Topics that focus on revealing and reducing racial inequality.  

4. We will set up a permanent internal employee group, to foster discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion and to highlight what works well, and what can be improved so that Frontiers is a safe and welcoming place for all people. Some of the initiatives to be put into place include management training to identify and reduce conscious and unconscious bias and blind spots. 

5. We will collect ideas and initiatives from our research community on how to make science more diverse, inclusive and equitable. If you have a suggestion or would like to join our community we want to hear from you! »Send your idea

The response to a crisis shows who we really are, it can bring out the worst or the very best in us. In this case, the worst is to do nothing, to dismiss, to stay silent, to pay lip-service. To give the best is to listen and learn from each other, to acknowledge the pain that some of us experience, support each other and act with concrete measures and determination in rooting out this long-standing injustice. Standing together and with a clear action plan we can bring out the best in each other and make this world a more equitable and inclusive place. 

On behalf of my Frontiers colleagues and our community,

Kamila Markram
CEO and Co-founder