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You can help Bristol University Press combat growing censorship and misinformation worldwide by making research on the most urgent global social challenges accessible to all
Our social world is rapidly changing. The news is awash with topics related to the global challenges we face, such as climate change, mounting political unrest, continued poverty, inequality, mass migration and social injustice.
Added to these already complex problems is an increase in censorship and the widespread prevalence of misinformation. In fact, more than half of people described themselves as ‘not knowing which information to believe or who to trust’ in UNESCO’s ‘The World in 2030’ Survey.
Only 17% of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which align with these global challenges, are on track – we must do more to tackle these critical issues to build a roadmap out of current global crises and ensure a better future for us all.
“If I had the money, I’d establish a press like this in every part of America. Major houses are great, but it’s places like these that publish the work that matters the most.” Linda Tirado, author of Hand to Mouth
Access to evidence-informed content is more important than it’s ever been
Bristol University Press (BUP) and its imprint Policy Press have been publishing academic books and journals on these global social challenges on a non-profit basis for nearly 30 years, with a social justice-based mission.
We champion evidence-informed, bold thinking that addresses critical issues which people face around the world to offer hope and fresh perspectives as a catalyst for positive change.
With your help, we can build on our important work and take it to audiences who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access it, as well as supporting marginalised voices to become truly included in the publishing process.
"BUP are a guiding light in the academic publishing landscape. Their commitment to addressing global social challenges through evidence-informed scholarship aligns with my open knowledge and equity values." Josh Sendall, University of Leeds
In the face of increased censorship, open access is crucial
By supporting BUP with a gift, you will help us to open up access to a vital collection of books and journal articles to enable researchers, practitioners and the public to access high-quality peer-reviewed content which informs policy, combats misinformation and has a positive real-world impact.
BUP's publishing programme has been crucial to many social justice initiatives, such as helping to change the law to get cyberflashing recognised as a criminal act, acting as a key campaign tool in the movement to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland, forming the basis of anti-poverty policies across the EU and breaking down barriers between academia and real-world problems, including mass incarceration in the US, gender-based violence in Iran and climate change and migration in the Pacific.
Providing a voice for marginalised communities
Your generosity will directly support the open access publication of research which makes a real difference to marginalised communities including children living in poverty, refugees and those facing discrimination and violence due to their gender, race or sexual identity.
Donations to our Global Social Challenges Development Fund will also be used to support authors in the Global South to publish their vital work and contribute to the worldwide evidence base on an equal footing by providing editing support, translation and mentorship programmes.
Donations of any amount can be made and will go towards supporting a range of activities, including:
£50 supports enhanced editing for an author with English as a second language
£500 supports a publication skills workshop for authors from the Global South
£1000 supports open access publication for a journal article
£10,000 supports open access publication for a book
All donors will be listed on the Bristol University Press website (with consent) to acknowledge your valuable support. We will report via our website on the equitable publishing initiatives supported by the Global Social Challenges Development Fund.
Find out more about our work: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk, BlueSky: @brisunipress.bsky.social, LinkedIn: Bristol University Press and Policy Press, Facebook: BristolUniversityPress
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