The Critical Role of Equity and Inclusion in Defining Rigor: What It Takes to Reimagine Peer Review Journals

Abstract Information: What would it take for peer reviewed journals to diversify and create more inclusion in the authorship/scholarship to amplify the voice and power of underrepresented evaluators? In order for new and diverse evaluators to thrive and succeed in the evaluation field, we need to think more expansively and interrogate the fundamental values, principles, and norms from which knowledge is created, consumed, and called into action. The question of how knowledge is created with inclusivity should be considered along with critical questions of who the knowledge is for and what knowledge is deemed important to elevate into the public domain. The purpose of this session is to engage in a field-level discussion with evaluators, scholars, and editors on how to elevate diverse, underrepresented voices in peer-review journals. The session will begin with some context setting. What do we know about the diversity of authors published in peer-review journals? How are peer-review journals set up for decision making with regard to (1) editorial leadership, (2) decision making about content, (3) composition of editorial boards and reviewers? Then, we will engage editors of New Directions in Evaluation, American Evaluation Journal, and The Foundation Review in sharing approaches that uncover potential biases and disrupt the status quo in the publication process. This may include strategies such as assessing gaps in content focused on equity, inviting new and diverse authors, providing support for first-time paper submitters, and attention to reviewers selection with relevant content and lived experiences. The session will devote ample time for a discussion with participants on emerging ideas from the field to transform journals' approach to publishing with equity and inclusion as a central mission.