Working with Authors from the Global Majority

Advice for editors to keep in mind during the editing process in working with authors from the Global Majority.

Authors from the Global Majority, as well as non-native English speakers (if article is written in English), authors publishing for the first time, and others, may for example:

• Need more flexible timelines

• Use terminology you are not familiar with

• Define terms differently*

• Have different stylist preferences from your own

• May be more hesitant to push back against suggestions from editors

*How authors understand and use terms may depend on their country of origin and/or where they live. It is most helpful in cases where you're unsure of how an author is using a term to ask directly. A footnote can simply be added, for example, to explain the specific use of a term rather than trying to change it.

It is often helpful to ask authors from the Global Majority what specific kind(s) of support would be most helpful for them in the editing process. It is also important to make it very clear to authors that the editing process is collaborative rather than dictating what changes need to be made to their articles, and invite discussion and feedback.

Take a humble approach: be honest when you don't know or fully understand the context being written about in a piece—authors are generally happy to explain it to you.

For all authors, make sure that you and the author(s) of the piece are:

• on the same page about deadlines

• on the same page about the edits you’re suggesting–make suggestions to improve the piece, don’t make changes without the author’s consent

Lastly, ask clarifying questions to make sure you've understood the intended meaning of the writing if you're unsure rather than editing heavily off the bat. This allows for more effective editing, and a better working relationship with the author!