Accessibility gap in ecology and evolution journals could exclude scientists with disabilities, study finds

Scientific progress thrives on the open exchange of knowledge. Yet new Michigan State University research reveals a significant oversight in some academic publishing that could limit access for scientists with disabilities. 

Olivia M. Smith, a former presidential postdoc in the College of Natural Science’s Ecology, Evolution and Behavior program, surveyed 541 journals in ecology and evolution fields for accessibility. Nearly 75 percent of those journals do not explicitly require authors to consider accessibility in their manuscript submissions.  

Further, when accessibility guidelines are present, they predominantly focus on colorblind-friendly figures, neglecting a broader spectrum of accessibility needs. This research was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. 

"Our review of the current journal policy landscape revealed sparse efforts by journals to make articles accessible for peer review and beyond," Smith said. "There has been recent work that has looked at inequities in academic publishing based on author demographics, such as assumed gender, geography, language and prestige, but there has been almost no attention on the inequities that scientists with disabilities face.”  

This lack of comprehensive guidelines creates barriers for scientists with disabilities, hindering their ability to engage fully with critical research. 

“For scientists, accessing publications is essential for staying current in their fields, conducting research and advancing their careers,” Smith said. “If publications aren’t designed with accessibility in mind, information cannot get to those who may need it.”  

Smith’s personal experience with using screen readers motivated her to explore the disconnect between current publishing practices and the real-world needs of people with disabilities. Forming a team of graduate students and postdocs who identified as having disabilities, Smith and six other co-authors not only identified the stark gap in current accessibility practices, but they also supplied actionable takeaways for both journals and authors. 

They recommended publishers and journals adopt Universal Design principles, develop comprehensive accessibility guidelines and foster a culture of inclusivity. The research team also created an accessibility checklist for authors, offering a practical tool for immediate improvements in manuscript preparation. 

"My hope is that this study prompts a significant shift in how the scientific community approaches accessibility," Smith said. "Our recommendations aim to make accessibility a standard practice, not an afterthought." 

Interdisciplinary work through EEB fellowship 

This research was facilitated by the collaborative environment of the MSU Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB). This program, designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enabled Smith to establish the Accessibility Research Group that authored the recent study, as well as previous studies on biases in academia.  

"One of the great things about this fellowship program is its emphasis on bridging collaboration across units," Smith said. "It is structured to support interdisciplinary collaborative projects that extend beyond traditional research boundaries, and without that, work like this couldn’t have been done." 

The EEB Fellowship, which supports early-career scientists in pursuing innovative research and community engagement, is a testament to MSU’s commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary work. Smith’s experience exemplifies the program’s collaborative initiatives. 

“The EEB Presidential Postdocs have had a tremendous impact on our community,” EEB Director Elise Zipkin said. “This is the third paper that Olivia has led with a team entirely of EEB students and postdocs. Their research efforts are helping to create a welcoming environment for all those interested in pursuing EEB-related careers.”       

Now an assistant professor in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources horticulture department, Smith’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture and bird conservation. She explores how farming practices can coexist with biodiversity, from the use of kestrels in cherry orchards to the implementation of songbird nest boxes and prairie strips. 

“My time in the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program set me up for a career of cross-collaboration,” Smith said. “It’s a great full circle moment that I can pursue my varied research interests, as well step into a mentor role for a new postdoc through the EEB program.”  

Smith and her colleagues’ work is a powerful call to action and a model of inclusivity, serving as a catalyst to continue expansing access to scientific information, specifically in the ecology and evolution fields. 

By Sam Brichta