Equality and equity to advance trusted research

Ensuring everyone benefits from scholarship and scientific advancement

STM is commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by reconfirming our commitment to advancing trusted research worldwide that educates, inspires and benefits society.   

STM members are responsible for around two-thirds of the world’s published research output. Our members, together with the stakeholders we support, comprise a global community, one of the shining examples of what happens when all people, regardless of place or politics, have the opportunity to freely pursue knowledge together. STM members are committed to preserving this ideal and advocating for equity and equality.  

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In line with Article 19 and 27 of the Declaration, we play our part to:

Ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of scientific advancement and its applications

STM members strive to foster trust in research through promoting the dependability, replicability and openness of research findings. 

STM members are committed to ensuring the outcomes of research are communicated with pinpoint accuracy, clarity and integrity.   

STM is committed to promoting publishers’ contributions to make progress on innovation, openness and sharing of knowledge needed to benefit society.  

Respect, protect and advocate for Academic freedom

STM members universally provide outlets where independent academic thought and scholarly discussion are cultivated and thrive. 

STM recognises there are inherent biases and inequities in the research ecosystem that must be addressed by all stakeholders. As publishers, STM members are committed to working collaboratively to close gaps across research and scholarly communication.  

Promote, encourage and foster internationalisation and cooperation across regions and disciplines

As a global organisation, STM is committed to fostering greater collaboration, ensuring that everyone benefits and is recognised for their contribution to the advancement of trusted research. We do this through establishing and promoting standards, sharing best practices and upskilling members across borders and disciplines. 

Our shared diversity, equity and inclusion agenda

Society is changing. We acknowledge that there are challenges and issues that need to be addressed collectively and by each member. STM members are committed to embedding the values of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and supporting participation from all voices to make the research ecosystem more dynamic.   

STM will lead a DEI agenda across our core committees and through collaborative partnerships.  Each committee will identify gaps and action areas to lead sustained and transformative change within our publishing organisations and indirectly with the researchers, institutions and academic and professional societies that we serve. 

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STM is proud to announce the launch of Level 3 of its SDG Sustainability Roadmap, a new benchmark for how academic publishers can contribute meaningfully to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on the foundations set in Level 1 and Level 2, this advanced stage equips organisations with the tools to deliver focused,…

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STM at IFRRO’s Mid-Year Meetings: Advancing Global Copyright Dialogue in Luxembourg

*AI *Announcements *Blog *IP & Copyright 05/22/25

STM General Counsel Molly Stech participated in the 2025 Mid-Year Meetings of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO), held from 19 to 21 May in Luxembourg. The meetings brought together more than 120 delegates from 62 member organizations, including European policymakers, academics, collective management organizations, and representatives of authors and publishers, to explore…

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Stay True to the (AI) Act — Stay true to creativity and knowledge

*AI *Announcements *EU *Policy & Advocacy 05/21/25

A united cultural and scientific front is calling on EU policymakers to honour the intent of the AI Act and uphold the core principles that protect Europe’s creators, researchers, and rights holders.  As implementation unfolds, there is growing concern that current drafts threaten to dilute the Act’s original safeguards—especially around transparency, consent, and enforceable rights….

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A Q&A with STM’s Hylke Koers in Retraction Watch

*In the media *Paper Mills *Research Integrity 05/19/25

A timely interview with our own Hylke Koers in Retraction Watch highlights STM’s work on strengthening research integrity in scholarly publishing. With fraud and paper mills exploiting gaps in editorial systems, STM has developed a Researcher Identity Verification Framework—a flexible, inclusive approach to help journals and institutions verify researcher identities more reliably. Originally released in…

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