Scientific publications lack linguistic diversity. What should be done?

In this episode of Questions of the Day, I talk with Dr. Ranya Virk, a postdoctoral scholar at UCSF, about the critical issue of linguistic diversity in scientific publications. Dr. Virk co-authored the paper “A Call to Diversify the Lingua Franca of Academic STEM Communities,” which highlights the dominance of English in scientific literature, with 97% of Web of Science papers and 80% of Elsevier journals published in English.

This creates significant barriers for non-English speaking researchers, limiting the global dissemination and impact of scientific knowledge. The discussion covers proposed solutions such as government funding for translations, multilingual journal platforms, and improved training for researchers to promote a more inclusive and effective global scientific community.

Access the conversation

0:20 The inspiration behind the paper

5:32 The Barriers in Place

8:39 Some Solutions

12:10 Opportunities for New Initiatives

15:37 Looking to the Future

Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science ethnographer. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.