Amplifying Underrepresented Voices: Advancing Citation Justice in Scholarly Communication

Voices of scholars are raised and amplified through the academic currency of citations. However, not all voices are heard and shared equally. Citation justice is an increasingly recognized issue within academic circles, focusing on the under-citation of women and people of color. This systemic bias, evident across many disciplines, impacts career progression, grant acquisition, and ultimately diversity among decision-makers. Citation practices are pivotal in shaping academic discourse, research, and education. Despite the significant influence of these practices, there is currently no comprehensive method to assess citation biases based on the demographics of authors. Efforts to measure diversity through computational analysis exist but are limited in scope. The academic publishing landscape is responding with initiatives such as Citation Diversity Statements and demographic surveys of authors, which aim to address greater inclusivity. Grassroots movements and databases that spotlight underrepresented scholars, alongside campaigns like "Cite Black Women," are vital in advancing citation justice. Libraries have a proactive role in educating and addressing citation biases through workshops, consultations, and the development of research guides. By integrating principles of citation justice into educational activities surrounding comprehensive searching, research impact, and publishing, libraries can actively contribute to a more equitable scholarly communication framework. This presentation explores the concept of citation justice, reviews current initiatives aimed at reforming citation practices, and proposes strategies for libraries to address these disparities in scholarly communication.