A Living Statement of DEI and Ethics Expectations Within the Community Science Exchange

Abstract

The ethical responsibilities of science, scientists and scholarly work are continuously expanding in response to changes and advancements in science and the scientific and social environment in which it is practiced. Here we define science broadly to include all disciplinary forms: natural, social, health. Within the realm of scholarly publication in science, ethics has become much more than “don't plagiarize,” or “do no harm” and now includes ethical framing around who does science, how science is done, what questions the work is tackling and where those questions spring from, what epistemologies are relevant, respected and accounted for, who has access to outcomes, how those outcomes are made accessible, who “owns” outcomes, and indeed, what ownership means. Questions of ethical community engagement both contribute to and benefit from our expanding understanding of what it means to do science ethically. This editorial is offered with recognition of that larger context, while focusing on community engagement.

In the search for democratizing science and broadening its utility and benefits to all people, a growing number of disciplines have come to value more collaborative, co-produced and community-engaged approaches to science. Many have argued that when science is truly useful to communities—especially those experiencing science, economic, social, cultural and/or health marginalization—it is better science. It becomes science with an improved ability to ensure both science literacy and public trust, even as it adds to existing scientific knowledge and methodology.

In response to this movement, and to further it, public and private funders are expanding support for community-engaged science across the widest range of communities. Ever more communities are calling for their own science findings to become action and ultimately move into policy. And researchers are now expected to consider research utility and broader impacts, and to address issues of exclusion and bias in their conduct and publication of research. All of this work is guided by evolving statements of diversity, equity and inclusion/belonging (DEI). Thus DEI and science collaboration with a diversity of publics and their communities are inextricably linked.

To proactively highlight and frame the centrality of ethics to the work of community science, including its publications and representations, this editorial presents a “living statement” of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Ethics for the Community Science Exchange, as well as expectations for CSE authors, editorial board, and staff partners. By “living,” we mean that ethical considerations are ongoing, and will change as community science grows and evolves.

Humanity faces grand challenges—climate change, energy sustainability, public health, ecosystem resilience, repairing injustices, advancing equity, and well-being—to which science can contribute. None of these challenges can be addressed by science alone. To be most effective, science must engage broadly and deeply with all members of society; embracing multiple ways of knowing, local knowledge and lived experience in the collective pursuit of co-produced knowledge and solutions.

As scholars and teachers, scientists must also begin to listen and learn; not simply acknowledging, but accepting, welcoming, respecting, learning from and celebrating community voices. The Community Science Exchange is one way of advancing that braided path of knowledge, intertwining scientific inquiry with community knowledge, history, tradition and alternative ways of knowing to achieve better practice and broader, more relevant outcomes for all parties. As a publication platform devoted to sharing community science and to promoting public participation in all forms of science and its co-construction, CSE seeks to advance ethical engagement with communities and at the same time, to contribute to a more expansive understanding of scientific ethics.

This editorial outlines the CSE position, intent, and expectations for ethical community science in a transparent way, and serves as a guide for authors seeking to share their work in CSE. Like community science itself, these ethical considerations will continue to evolve. New considerations will emerge as new socio-scientific issues are addressed, and community-science partnerships change to meet them. This document is our starting point. We aim to continuously explore emerging practices for future incorporation, working together with our authors, reviewers, editors, and most importantly with community members represented in and by the published work.