Publisher's Note

Emerald Publishing is committed to the realization 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.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.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:We have championed the democratization 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:The facilitation of rigorous research, real-world application, and impact underscores our approach: discoverable, impactful research that gives voices to diverse contributions.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 PublishingApril 2025