#DefendResearch
We stand in support of #DefendResearch – will you join us?
At a time of geopolitical instability, research and higher education are facing unprecedented challenges. Recent executive orders in the United States are disrupting research, education, and library programs resulting in cuts to funding in areas that need it most.
Having championed the democratisation of knowledge for well over 50 years, we don’t intend to stop. Academic freedom, without fear of suppression, is vital for societal progress.
How to get involved
Emerald Publishing became the first organisation to sign the #DefendResearch declaration. We believe we can stand together as a global community to successfully resist censorship, promote open dialogue, and ensure that academic freedom remains a cornerstone of scholarly communication.
Join us and thousands more.
“We stand strongly with this scholarly community group. We must protect academic freedom and continue to support equity in the scholarly ecosystem. That's what we're here for.”
- Vicky Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Emerald Publishing
Live event: Collaborative strategies to #DefendResearch and ensure academic freedom
Panellists:
- Sara Rouhi, Co-author of the #DefendResearch declaration (virtual panellist)
- Josh Sendall, Acting University Librarian & Keeper of the Brotherton Collection, Leeds University, UK
- Mustafa B. Ozturk, Programme Director and Researcher at Queen Mary University of London, UK
- Terri Teleen, Americas President at Emerald Publishing
- Hosted by Vicky Williams, CEO, Emerald Publishing
Overview:
Our first live #DefendResearch event, in collaboration with Scholarly Social, had leading voices from academia and publishing tackle the urgent threats facing research today.
With powerful stories, the panel exposed the real dangers of censorship, shrinking DEI funding, and the silencing of marginalised voices. The message was clear: academic freedom is on the line, and only collective action will protect it.
Dive into the full blog to read more from the event and the practical steps everyone can take to #DefendResearch.
Supporting the future of research with EveryLibrary
In March 2025, we announced a strategic partnership with the EveryLibrary Institute (ELI), a non-profit, non-partisan organisation committed to advancing and supporting libraries, academic institutions, and library professionals.
As part of this partnership, we’ve started a series of webinars to support the academic library community.
“We’re delighted to be the first scholarly publisher to underwrite the work of the EveryLibrary Institute. Libraries are the backbone of the research and higher education ecosystem, and the library profession stands for intellectual freedom and the possibility of meaningful, real-world change. We hope that academic librarians in the U.S. will benefit from access to ELI’s research and expertise.”
- Terri Teleen, President for the Americas, Emerald Publishing
Show your support
As we stand in solidarity with #DefendResearch and initiatives that safeguard scholarly integrity, we’re providing downloadable assets to support your advocacy. Whether you’re raising awareness, organising discussions, or amplifying the message within your network, these materials are designed to help you take action.
This is Emerald
Hear from Terri Teleen, Emerald’s President for the Americas, on why bringing a range of perspectives to the table is now more important than ever, and is something we will not back down from.
Publisher's note
Emerald Publishing is committed to the realisation of a research and publishing environment built upon transparency, accessibility, and integrity. Accordingly, we have signed the Declaration to #DefendResearch, which aligns with our core values and long-standing mission to contribute to positive change in research and society more broadly.
#DefendResearch
Emerald Publishing is committed to the realisation of a research and publishing environment built upon transparency, accessibility, and integrity. Accordingly, we have signed the Declaration to #DefendResearch, which aligns with our core values and long-standing mission to contribute to positive change in research and society more broadly.
Support for academic freedom
During this time of geopolitical instability, research and higher education face unprecedented challenges. In the United States, recent executive orders are disrupting research, education, and library programs, removing federally funded initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as green energy, climate, health, and other research domains. These measures have led to the termination of critical research grants and created uncertainty for researchers, faculty, librarians, and others who carry out and rely upon the benefits of research itself.
#DefendResearch takes a stand against the defunding and censorship of academic research, advocating for the free exchange of ideas and the safeguarding of scholarly work from undue restrictions. This resonates deeply with our commitments to support authors in disseminating their work without fear of suppression.
Commitment to research integrity
We believe that global research collaboration represents the optimal route to alleviating the numerous challenges facing the world today. Research holds the key to impactful change for the benefit of society, from advancing health care and technology to fostering social justice and environmental sustainability. Publication of rigorous, peer-reviewed research supports and amplifies voices from every setting, ensuring that every editor, reviewer, and author feels valued and respected, and the resultant publications are trusted by millions of readers around the world. In this context, we also restate our commitments to:
- The highest standards of publication ethics
- Supporting editorial teams, reviewers, authors, and the libraries who play a vital role in the dissemination of science, under the banners of academic independence and intellectual freedom.
We have championed the democratisation of knowledge for well over 50 years and are privileged to have published research that has significantly advanced the understanding of societal issues, contributing for example to:
- Systemic approaches to gender equity that have improved healthcare outcomes for women
- The introduction of novel, inclusive education models that accommodate the diverse needs of all students, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or learning styles
- Studies on class segregation that have informed policies to reduce inequality and promote social cohesion
- Research on carbon capture and 3D printing that offer practical applications in reducing emissions and revolutionising manufacturing, making these technologies more accessible and equitable
- Studies on cryptocurrencies and fintech innovations that help transform global finance and traditional banking, improving financial inclusion and accessibility for underserved communities.
The facilitation of rigorous research, real-world application, and impact underscores our approach: discoverable, impactful research that gives voices to diverse contributions.
Emerald’s call to the research and publishing community
By standing together, the global community can successfully resist censorship, promote open dialogue, and ensure that academic freedom remains a cornerstone of scholarly communication. To quote Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” In this spirit, we invite all those who participate in and engage with research to join together in supporting #DefendResearch.
Emerald Publishing
April 2025