Aligning ESNBU’s Practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
As a diamond open-access journal, English Studies at NBU (ESNBU) is committed to making knowledge accessible to everyone while addressing global challenges outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By aligning our practices with these goals, we aim to promote equality, sustainability, and impactful academic work. Below, we explore how ESNBU contributes to several SDGs and supports the development of a more inclusive and sustainable academic community.
Making Knowledge Accessible to Everyone
(SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)
At ESNBU, we believe in the power of accessible knowledge. By being a diamond open-access journal, we ensure that authors and readers face no financial barriers. All our articles are free to read as soon as they are published, making it easier for researchers, policymakers, and the public to access important information.
This commitment supports SDG 4 by expanding access to quality education resources and encouraging lifelong learning. At the same time, we align with SDG 17 by fostering partnerships and collaborations across borders. By eliminating barriers to sharing knowledge, we enable researchers worldwide to work together and create meaningful change.
Promoting Fairness and Representation
Gender Balance in Leadership (SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)
Diversity and representation are key priorities at ESNBU. Since the journal began, we have worked to achieve gender balance on our Editorial Board. Currently, nearly 50% of our editors are women. This balance ensures that different perspectives shape our editorial decisions, creating a more inclusive academic environment. It also encourages more women to participate in academic publishing.
Advancing Gender Equality in Publishing (SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)
Our focus on gender equality extends to the authors we publish. Over half (56.7%) of our published authors are women, demonstrating our dedication to breaking down barriers in academia. By creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, we aim to promote fairness and balance in the academic world, supporting both SDG 5 Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Global Representation and Inclusivity (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)
We are dedicated to supporting authors from all backgrounds. About 19.1% of our authors come from the Global South, ensuring that voices from underrepresented regions are heard. Additionally, 20% of our authors are doctoral students or early-career researchers. We mentor these scholars to help them refine their work and contribute valuable perspectives to the academic community, therefore supporting inclusivity.
Publishing Research that Supports the SDGs
The articles published in ESNBU often address themes central to the SDGs. These works contribute to understanding and solving global challenges.
For example, in exploring the struggles of Native American women, Lewandowski's (2021) article "Gertrude Bonnin on Sexual Morality" examines how colonial oppression disrupted their cultural and sexual identities. Similarly, "The Portraiture of Stockholm Syndrome: Cultural Dislocation in Phillis Wheatley's Poetry Collection and Selected African American Texts" (Adeniyi, 2018) delves into the psychological scars of slavery, illuminating how religion was utilized to perpetuate inequality. Both articles contribute to discussions around SDG 5 and SDG 10, underscoring the need for gender equality and reducing inequalities.
Addressing the challenges faced by diasporic communities, "Identity and Diasporic Trauma in Mira Jacob's The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing" (Alghaberi and Mukherjee, 2021) reflects on the intersection of memory, trauma, and the immigrant experience. This research aligns with SDG 4 and SDG 10 by advocating for quality education and reducing inequalities through greater understanding of marginalized identities.
The effects of civil conflict on national identity take center stage in "Welcome Home, Our Bitter Home!: Rethinking National Identity in Nuruddin Farah's Links" (Turan, 2024). The narrative explores alternative forms of belonging and reconciliation, contributing to SDG 16's goals of promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. Complementing this, "Mirroring the Society, Mirroring Its Hospitals: Hyginus Ekwuazi's Poetry and the Challenge of Nation-Building" (Awuzie, 2019) critiques corruption and poor leadership in Africa, emphasizing the potential of literature to address pressing societal challenges.
Preserving marginalized histories and fostering cross-cultural understanding are pivotal themes in "Native American History as Counter-Discourse in James Welch's Narratives: The Examples of Fools Crow and Killing Custer" (Garuba, 2024). By highlighting the narratives of underrepresented groups, this article supports SDG 4 and SDG 10, advocating for quality education and equality.
In addition to these works, ESNBU has published research that delves into the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia, autism, attention deficits and neurodevelopmental disorders. These articles highlight the importance of addressing neurodiversity in education and society. For instance, studies on effective strategies for supporting students with dyslexia (Troeva, 2015a; 2015b) contribute to SDG 4: Quality Education by fostering inclusive learning environments. Similarly, articles addressing the unique strengths and challenges of individuals with autism, attention deficits and neurodevelopmental disorders (Fert and Pyatakova, 2024) promote SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by advocating for greater understanding and equity (Ghedeir Brahim, 2022). These works also align with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, as they emphasize the need for mental and emotional support for neurodiverse individuals.
These are just a few examples of how the research published in ESNBU addresses pressing global challenges and contributes to the realization of the UN SDGs.
Aligning Our Values with the SDGs
ESNBU's core values guide every aspect of our work, reflecting a commitment to ethical, inclusive, and sustainable academic publishing. These values also align closely with several SDGs:
1. Focus on standards, ethics, and best practices: Adhering to strict peer review and zero tolerance for malpractice aligns with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, fostering transparency and accountability in publishing.
2. Be passionate about equal access to knowledge: As a diamond open-access journal, we support SDG 4: Quality Education by making knowledge accessible and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by promoting global collaborations.
3. Care about long-term goals: Our focus on sustainable growth aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, as we prioritize thoughtful, lasting impact over short-term gains.
4. Be positive and constructive: Providing mentorship to early-career researchers supports SDG 4 by building capacity and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by encouraging inclusivity.
5. Simplify: Our resource-efficient operations reflect SDG 12, as we strive for sustainability in academic publishing.
6. Take responsibility: Transparent communication and accountability align with SDG 17, fostering trust and collaboration.
7. Embrace change: Adaptability and openness to innovation correspond with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, ensuring relevance in a rapidly evolving field.
8. Be proactive: Taking initiative aligns with SDG 4 and SDG 17, ensuring impactful outcomes in education and global partnerships.
9. Treat people right: Respectful engagement promotes SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10, fostering an inclusive academic environment.
10. Take care of yourself: Advocating for mental and physical well-being supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, ensuring our team and contributors can perform at their best.
By embedding these values into our practices, ESNBU contributes to the global effort of achieving the SDGs through responsible, inclusive, and impactful publishing.
Supporting Sustainability (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production)
ESNBU takes sustainability seriously. Our operations are entirely virtual, with remote offices and online meetings, which reduces our environmental impact. Starting in 2025, we plan to switch to a "Print on Demand" model, phasing out traditional print runs. This change aligns with SDG 12's call for sustainable consumption and production.
We also encourage our contributors to adopt environmentally responsible practices in their research. By promoting sustainable approaches, we hope to inspire others in the academic publishing industry to reduce their environmental footprint.
At ESNBU, we believe that academic publishing can make a difference. By aligning our practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create opportunities for accessibility, equity, and sustainability in the scholarly world. However, to move forward, we need to move forward together. We want to keep the path that we created and walk along open and transparent so that others can follow us. Thus, leadership means going forward with others. We invite researchers to contribute their work and join us in addressing global challenges. Together, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable future.