Mandatory manuscript submission policies and authors’ rights and capabilities from a diversity, equity, inclusion, and access perspective: A prototype proposal

Abstract

Several academic journals include goals related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA). Their mandatory online submission policies introduce final structural hurdles that we believe has the potential to infringe upon authors’ freedom of expression by restricting their freedom to impart information and opinions, contrary to DEIA principles. In this opinion paper, we classify mandatory submission-related requirements into three categories: necessary and reasonable; burdensome, but still rationally explainable; excessive, intrusive or dubiously justified. We also examine the intersection between DEIA and authors' rights and capabilities in scholarly publishing, arguing that excessively rigid or unjustifiable submission policies may undermine equitable participation and efficiency. Finally, we advocate for an approach rooted in common sense that prioritizes accessibility, fairness, and intellectual merit over bureaucratic formalities, proposing three alternative models that we feel could reduce unnecessary burdens on researchers during the submission process.