Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
2-2021
Abstract
Multicultural representation is a stated goal of many global scientific assessment processes. These processes aim to mobilize a broader, more diverse knowledge base and increase legitimacy and inclusiveness of these assessment processes. Often, enhancing cultural diversity is encouraged through involvement of diverse expert teams and sources of knowledge in different languages. In this article, we examine linguistic diversity, as one representation of cultural diversity, in the eight published assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Our results show that the IPBES assessment outputs are disproportionately filtered through English-language literature and authors from Anglophone countries. To incorporate more linguistic diversity into global ecosystem assessment processes, we present actionable steps for global science teams to recognize and incorporate non-English-language literature and contributions from non-Anglophones. Our findings highlight the need for broad-scale actions that enhance inclusivity in knowledge synthesis processes through balanced representation of different knowledge holders and sources.
Keywords
cultural diversity, non-English languages, non-Anglophones, intergovernmental process, IPBES, knowledge, language, language barriers, scientific literature, representation
Discipline
Environmental Law | Environmental Sciences
Research Areas
Public Interest Law, Community and Social Justice
Publication
One Earth
Volume
4
Issue
2
First Page
269
Last Page
278
ISSN
2590-3330
Publisher
Cell Press
Citation
LYNCH, Abigail J.; ÁLVARO, Fernández-Llamazares; PALOMO, Ignacio; JAUREGUIBERRY, Pedro; TATSUYA, Amano; BASHER, Zeenatul; LIM, Michelle; MWAMPAMBA, Tuyeni Heita; SAMAKOV, Aibek; SELOMANE, Odirilwe; and LIM, Michelle Mei Ling.
Culturally diverse expert teams have yet to bring comprehensive linguistic diversity to intergovernmental ecosystem assessments. (2021). One Earth. 4, (2), 269-278.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/4099
Copyright Owner and License
Publisher
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.01.002