Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI)
Diversity and Equality Policy Statement
The BSPP celebrates and values the diversity of its membership and believes that equality and equity of opportunity is key in achieving our aims. We are committed to the positive promotion of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion amongst our members. The society aims to foster an environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
The BSPP EEDI committee reports to the BSPP board and reviews equality, equity, diversity and inclusivity in the Society’s activities, and works to support and develop the society’s policies and initiatives. Members of the EEDI committee also regularly attend the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) Member Organisations’ Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group. Alongside the committee members we are joined by three representatives from the membership who bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the work of the committee. Please find details of the current members of the committee here.
Carer Support Grants
A carer support grant is available in conjunction with our travel award applications. The intention of these grants is to widen participation at BSPP and other relevant conferences to those who may find costs incurred by their caring responsibilities can prohibit conference attendance. Please see our Travel Funds for further details.
Conferences, Events and the Promotion of Plant Pathology
In addition to BSPP conferences, the BSPP also makes awards as part of its Event Organisation Fund and Promotion of Plant Pathology Funds. Applicants for awards made through these funding schemes are required to demonstrate adherence to our EEDI Policy Statement by considering the impact of their conference, event or activity on EEDI. Please see our “Code of Conduct” for further details.
BSPP journals
The BSPP edit three international peer reviewed Journals; Plant Pathology, Molecular Plant Pathology and New Disease Reports. All three Journals are now published by John Wiley & Sons.
- Wiley have recently updated their author name change policy to support a more inclusive publishing environment.
Wiley report “The updated policy supports the anonymity of authors who wish to change their name on already-published research. We are removing two standard and historical processes when an author submits a name change. We will no longer publish a correction notice to the updated paper when there is a name change, and we will no longer notify co-authors of their colleague’s name change. We will update and republish the paper, and redeliver the updated metadata to indexing services. We also will not require that authors provide proof or documentation of their name change. The policy change is effective immediately for all of our 1,700 research journals.”
- Wiley policies to widen access to low-income countries
Many low-income countries do not have the funding to access published research, even though this content might help improve their quality of life. One of the ways that Wiley bridges this gap is to make research accessible to researchers across the globe through its partnership with Research4Life. This initiative provides researchers from low-income countries with free or low-cost access to Journal content.
To contact the EEDI committee please email admin@bspp.org.uk
