Our goal for a fairer society

We are passionate about working with researchers globally to deliver a fairer, more inclusive society. This perhaps has never been more important than in today’s divided world.

So, our goal as a leading publisher of impactful research is to help create a society that is just, inclusive and embracing of all without any barriers to participation based on sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, ethnicity, age, class or ability, where there is access to healthcare and education, technology, justice, strong institutions, peace and security, social protection, decent work and housing. 

Michael Burrows, Publishing Development Manager, Fairer Society

Our goals: Fairer society | Healthier lives | Responsible management | Quality education for all |  Sustainable structures and infrastructures

If you're an author or researcher, or someone who cares as much as we do, we would love to work with you, and help your research make real change happen towards a fairer, more inclusive society. Get in touch.

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Our goal to achieve a fairer society

We champion research towards creating a society that’s fair & inclusive, where there’s access to healthcare, education, technology, justice, social protection, work, good housing & peace.

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Mission

Should billionaires exist? Addressing unequal growth and wealth inequality

In this mission, we ask: What are the impacts of having extremely wealthy individuals in society? And how can wealth redistribution help to address the global challenges of poverty, reduce inequality, spur economic growth and tackle climate change?

Find out more

Our missions

We have collated a range of resources into themes relating to the UN SDG goals.

Should billionaires exist? Addressing unequal growth and wealth inequality
In this mission, we ask: What are the impacts of having extremely wealthy individuals in society...
25/06/2025
Quality of life: key to social equity?
This quality of life mission invites engagement from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. It...
16/09/2024
Volunteerism for a fairer society
This mission highlights research and learning that explores the impact of volunteerism on individual...
30/11/2023
Liveable cities for all: building a better future
In this mission campaign, we explore the concept of liveable cities through a number of themes.
13/06/2023
Trust: for a fairer society
This mission brings together perspectives on the human ability to form bonds and work together...
07/11/2022
Fairness across generations
This mission explores intergenerational inequalities and ways to re-establish the balance for a more...
26/07/2022
Stewardship for a fairer society
Join us as we explore the concept of stewardship, crucial to build a future that is more just...
23/05/2022
Human flourishing in a fairer society
Human flourishing is a concept at the core of the SDG declaration and their aim to ensure that "all...
15/02/2022
Future of work
Our digital age was already reshaping the world of work before COVID-19 led to radical changes in...
21/10/2021
Digital inclusion & the digital divide
Staying digitally connected during COVID-19 has been essential, unfortunately, not everyone has...
06/07/2021
Women & the pandemic
Can we imagine a more inclusive, resilient, gender-equal sustainable society post-pandemic?
13/04/2021

Calls for papers

Browse the latest calls for papers in the area of fairer society.

Research with Impact: Qualitative approaches to social and behaviour change
IntroductionThis special issue moves beyond traditional market analysis to position qualitative inquiry as a catalyst for systemic social equity. While quantitative data often identifies what is…
Women’s Social Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation in Diverse Contexts
IntroductionThe International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research (IJEBR) invites submissions for a special issue on Women’s Social Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation in…
Anti-Racism in Action: Scholarship, Practice and Collective Struggle for Race Equity Across Institutions and Society.
Introduction This special issue aims to advance interdisciplinary scholarship and practice on anti-racism as a transformative force across higher education, organisations, and wider society. It…
Follow the Money but Then What? Rethinking Asset Recovery
Submit your paper hereIntroductionThe recovery of assets derived from unlawful activity has become an increasingly prominent element of domestic, regional and international legal frameworks (Ochnio,…
Special Issue: Innovation and Sustainable Finance: Pathways to Inclusive and Resilient Economic Development
Introduction The contemporary global economic landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the converging forces of technological disruption, environmental urgency, and the…
Toward a Human-Centered Workplace: Empowering Diversity and Inclusion in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
IntroductionThis Special Issue aims to advance understanding of how AI is reshaping work and employment for underrepresented groups, and to stimulate research on how HRM can foster more inclusive,…
Migration and Geopolitical Instability: Effects on International Business
IntroductionEscalating geopolitical tensions have become a defining feature of the contemporary international business (IB) environment. Recent scholarship has productively examined how firms cope…
Doing Entrepreneurship at the Margins: Qualitative Insights
IntroductionDoing Entrepreneurship at the Margins: Qualitative InsightsPositivist methodologies have historically shaped entrepreneurship research, supporting the field’s development by allowing the…
Recordkeeping Reflections on the Epstein Files
IntroductionEvents leading up to and subsequent to the promulgation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in the United States have captured the headlines worldwide, providing a rich case study of…
New Directions in Behavioural Investigative Advice
Submit your paper here!IntroductionThis special edition of the Journal of Criminal Psychology (JCP) focuses on the contribution of behavioural and social science (BaSS) in directly support law…

Black youth aspirations

Black Youth Aspirations: Imagined Futures and Transitions into Adulthood, by Botshabelo Maja.
 

Watch the author's video for an overview of the book, and see the infographic, below, highlighting a new conceptual framework introduced in the book.

The OATS framework

OATS (objects, agency, tools and spaces) – a new conceptual framework – looks at how the mechanisms behind the capacity to aspire manifest themselves in working- to middle-class South African youths. It builds on the groundbreaking research by anthropologist Arjun Appadurai on ways in which Mumbai slum dwellers try to lift themselves out of poverty.

Download the infographic

Fairer society open access content

About the research

Explore freely available research to read, download, and share, that focuses on the creation of a just, inclusive society without any barriers to participation.

Explore the content

Opinions & blogs

We welcome contributions from academics, policymakers and professionals about key issues in their area of work. If you have a blog you would like to share, let us know.

News & press

Below we have a collection of news articles centred around aspects of a fairer society.

Fairer society
Real impact

Emerald Publishing’s ‘Making Equal’ charts a path to tackle UK inequality

‘Making Equal: New Visions for Prosperity in the UK’, unites the visions of senior figures across politics, academia and the voluntary sector to create new, practical solutions.
21/10/2025
Fairer society
Real impact

Emerald competes in Dragon Boat race to raise funds for BookTrust

Two teams from Emerald in the UK competed in the race at Bradford’s Dragon Boat Festival.
30/06/2025
Fairer society
Real impact

Emerald Publishing announced as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025

The global academic publisher has been recognised for its commitment to gender equality for the second year running.
24/06/2025
Real impact
Fairer society

Emerald Publishing launches Sustainable Finance Review journal

Emerald Publishing has launched its latest academic journal, Sustainable Finance Review (SFR). This new publication is set to explore critical areas in finance, including renewable energy financing, ESG, Fintech, decarbonization, carbon markets, public-private partnerships, and sustainable finance policy.
17/04/2025
Real impact
Fairer society

Emerald Pubishing supports One Nation One Subscription initiative in India

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme will provide equitable access to international scholarly journals and articles for students, faculty, researchers, and scientists across 6,300 government-managed higher education institutions and R&D centres.
28/03/2025
Real impact
Fairer society
Responsible management

Emerald listed in the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2024

Emerald Publishing recognised as one of only 50 businesses that made this year’s Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality list.
19/06/2024

Other resources

Browse our other offerings below.

Case studies

Global teaching materials to engage and inspire. Students can test their assumptions and decision-making skills about real world problems.

Explore cases on Emerald Insight >

ScienceOpen Collection

We've partnered with ScienceOpen to create a fairer society collection that will be updated regularly to reflect our latest mission-related content. 

Browse the collection >

Your publishing development team

Dr Michael Burrows

Dr Michael Burrows

I am the Publishing Development Manager for Fairer Society, working across Emerald’s publishing programs for SDG-related research focused on building a just and inclusive society 'where no one is left behind'.

Get in touch

Dr Wendy M Purcell Phd FRSA – Goal advisor

Dr Wendy Purcell is an Academic Research Scholar with Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University since 2016. Her purpose lies in transforming lives through education and research in pursuit of social equity, the knowledge economy and sustainable development. She leads research on global leadership and governance for sustainable transformation in higher education and in various business sectors, directs the Sustainable Development Solutions Group and is Lead Faculty of ENVR-118c Pursuing Sustainability. Wendy is an Emeritus Professor and was President Vice-Chancellor of a UK university (2007–2015), taking it to the top 1% of world universities and 1st 'green' UK university. She is a Council Member of the United Nations University, Governing Board Member EELISA of the European University and Member of the Association of American Universities and Colleges. Wendy has authored over 100-publications and is busy writing books on sustainability and the SDGs and the role of higher education in advancing a world where no one is left behind.