Publisher’s note

Emerald Publishing is committed to the realization of a research and publishing environment built upon transparency, accessibility, and integrity.Accordingly, we have signed the Declaration to #DefendResearch, which aligns with our core values and long-standing mission to contribute to positive change in research and society more broadly. Support for academic freedomDuring this time of geopolitical instability, research and higher education face unprecedented challenges.In the United States, recent executive orders are disrupting research, education, and library programs, removing federally funded initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as green energy, climate, health, and other research domains.These measures have led to the termination of critical research grants and created uncertainty for researchers, faculty, librarians, and others who carry out and rely upon the benefits of research itself.#DefendResearch takes a stand against the defunding and censorship of academic research, advocating for the free exchange of ideas and the safeguarding of scholarly work from undue restrictions.This resonates deeply with our commitments to support authors in disseminating their work without fear of suppression.