Emerald Publishing launches Responsible Publishing Report
Emerald Publishing has launched its Responsible Publishing Report 2025, outlining the organisation’s actions and outcomes over the past year as it continues to position itself around a “fairer, more sustainable and impactful research ecosystem.”
Set against what the publisher describes as increasing political and social pressure on issues such as equality, sustainability and academic freedom, the report makes an explicit case for values-led publishing backed by operational delivery.
The report is structured around Emerald’s “3Ps” framework – Planet, People and Prosperity – covering environmental impact, organisational culture, and access to knowledge.
A central theme in 2025 was the publisher’s support for #DefendResearch, an initiative responding to perceived threats to academic freedom, including censorship and restrictions on research topics. Emerald said it was the first publisher to sign the declaration, alongside a series of actions including issuing a publisher’s note across its 313 journals, launching a dedicated engagement hub, partnering with the EveryLibrary Institute on librarian-focused webinars in the US, and running a coordinated week of activity in May.
Across its three core pillars, the report highlights a mix of operational changes and community-facing initiatives.
Under Planet, Emerald states that its Leeds head office now operates on 100% renewable energy, alongside efforts to better understand and reduce emissions and improve recycling. The publisher also points to lower-impact design principles embedded within its Emerald Insight platform.
Within People, Emerald reports continued recognition for workplace culture, including inclusion in The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for a second consecutive year and listing among the Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces. The report links this to policies around flexible working, wellbeing, and organisational inclusion.
The Prosperity strand focuses on outreach and partnerships, including raising more than £22,000 for BookTrust, alongside ongoing collaborations with organisations such as Chapter One and Zarach aimed at widening access to reading and learning.
The report also emphasises efforts to broaden participation in research publishing through open access routes. These include Emerald’s Green open access option, which allows authors to make work immediately available without payment or embargo, and its Open Lab initiative exploring sustainable open access models with external stakeholders.
Vicky Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Emerald Publishing, said: “Emerald’s purpose remains clear: to publish research that makes a real-world difference by creating an inclusive and equitable environment where every voice is heard. Achieving it demands more than words, it requires action and accountability.”
Terri Teleen, President Americas, Emerald Publishing, added: “Academic freedom is the foundation of progress. When censorship creeps into research, it silences voices, stifles innovation, and undermines trust in knowledge.”