Citation justice involves intentionally acknowledging and citing the work of researchers from underrepresented groups. Research indicates that women, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPoC) scholars are cited less frequently than their white, male counterparts (Dworkin et al., 2020; Kozlowski et al, 2022). In science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine, practising citation justice means striving to equalize citation rates between white cis-male authors and those from diverse backgrounds and identities.
Engaging with literature is an important part of learning and research. Whether you are exploring a new topic, or preparing to publish on one you've studied for years, it's important to seek out diverse sources in order to gain a variety of perspectives. You can find tips and resources for expanding your sources in the finding diverse sources and academic databases for diverse sources sections of this guide. If you are writing a paper or preparing a conference presentation, take a look at the tips for auditing your citations. Instructors or anyone working with students should take a look at the in the classroom section of the guide.
This guide is a work in progress, so please share any suggestions you have! I’d also love to hear about your experiences with this type of work.
Practising citation justice is imperative in the context of education, as the researchers featured in reading lists, syllabi, lectures, and journal clubs shape students' perceptions of authority in their fields. This representation can either foster a sense of belonging or lead to feelings exclusion within their chosen discipline, depending on whether students see themselves represented in the works cited. By de-centering Whiteness and elevating the voices of traditionally underrepresented researchers, we can have a profound impact on our students' success and engagement in science (Intoumpor-Beukers, 2024, Thomas, 2022). Developing inclusive reading lists and lectures better reflects the identities and experiences of our students!
Discussions around how and when to cite sources happen regularly in university settings, but we rarely consider who is being cited. Yet, decisions around citations have real and significant implications on the lives of individuals and their scientific advancement. As aptly noted by Andrea Eidinger (2023) "...just as citational practices have the potential to reinforce power structures, they also have tremendous potential to undo them."
To promote greater diversity in the academe, a good starting point is to examine whose voices are being amplified. Davies, S. et al, (2021) state that "[c]itation metrics...influence career advancement at all levels including graduate opportunities, funding success, career positions, awards, distinctions, and tenure and promotion. However, a lack of diversity among the most cited scientific authors is driven by historical demographics of faculty and those in academic leadership positions."
Research indicates that demographically diverse teams foster greater scientific innovation (Hofstra et al., 2020). However, women and other marginalized groups remain underrepresented in scientific publishing (Kozlowski et al. 2022). Hofstra et al. (2020) have found that "novel contributions by gender and racial minorities are taken up by other scholars at lower rates than novel contributions by gender and racial majorities, and equally impactful contributions of gender and racial minorities are less likely to result in successful scientific careers than for majority groups."
Practicing citation justice can lead to the success of minoritized students and scholars. As stated by Kozlowski et al.(2022) "...the diversification of the scientific workforce is necessary to create a scientific system whose results benefit all of society."
Taking a critical look at your citational practice takes time and commitment.
Some important questions to consider when beginning this work include:
It's also important to think about where you have the ability to uplift the work of researchers from underrepresented groups.
For example:
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