This month on Sustainability Matters, we discuss whether external research promotion has any tangible effects. Can external media attention translate into academic citations? Does choosing the “right” journal matter? And do we risk perverse outcomes from over-incentivising citations? All this and more with Dr. Steffen Lemke and Dr. Isabella Peters, authors of “Path model of the interplay between the promotion and the received attention of research articles” along with Dr. Athanasios Ma...

On this episode of Sustainability Matters, we celebrate the progress of Open Access in expanding the reach of research, while also asking how it can become more inclusive. From evolving publishing models and transformative agreements to bridging Global North–South inequities, we look at how publishers and researchers can work toward a more equitable and sustainable system of knowledge sharing. All this and more with Stephanie Veldman, Director of Open Research at De Gruyter Brill, and Dr. Sou...

In this second half of our special double episode of Sustainability Matters, we take a look at the impact of generative AI on academic culture. Should AI tools be used for peer review, grant writing, performance assessments, and the like? What makes “imperfect” human writing still worth defending? And finally, what happens to the value of voluntary reading in a world saturated with autogenerated content? All this and more with Dr. Naomi S. Baron, author of the chapter, “AI and Human Writing: ...

This month on Sustainability Matters, we discuss the persistent underrepresentation of Global South scholars in leading English-language journals. From editorial appointments to peer review practices, structural biases continue to shape who gets published—and whose knowledge is valued. While efforts are being made to address these imbalances, the question remains: what more can be done? All this and more with Dr. Eve Ng and Dr. Melissa A. Click, authors of the article “Democratizing publishin...

In honour of Pride Month, on this episode of Sustainability Matters, we explore the politics, practice, and perceptions of gender-fair language. Is it the same as gender-neutral language, or something more expansive? How do linguistic reforms for inclusivity play out across the evolution of a language? And what motivates scholars to adopt—or reject—more inclusive forms of writing? All this and more with Dr. Christine Ivanov and Dr. Maria B. Lange, authors of the chapter “Motivations for the U...

In this first half of a special double episode on Sustainability Matters, we unpack how generative AI is challenging traditional ideas of writing, learning, and originality. Are large language models truly that revolutionary, or just glorified predictive text tools? How are universities responding to this shift? And—perhaps most importantly—where does morality come into the equation? All this and more with Dr. Naomi S. Baron, author of the chapter, "AI and Human Writing: Collaboration or Appr...

In this episode of Sustainability Matters, we get into the numbers behind scholarly publishing. We unpack why publishing consumption patterns vary so widely across countries, how data can inform efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it supports progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, we explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of data and sustainability in publishing. All this and more with Dr. Michiel Kolman and Rach...

In this episode of Sustainability Matters, we explore what responsible research and innovation (RRI) means. How can science move beyond disciplinary siloes to embrace transdisciplinarity? What does it mean to conduct research that is truly socially responsible? And is the commitment to sustainable research declining? All this and more with Dr. Siri Granum Carson and Dr. Matthias Kaiser, authors of the concluding chapter “A sea change in science and technology ecologies? Prospects of soc...

On the first episode of Sustainability Matters (formerly Humanities Matter), we explore the complexities of diversity and inclusion in higher education. Do the frameworks in US universities today advance equity, or merely mask deeper systemic issues? How can academia move beyond optics to genuine transformation? And what does diversity and justice in higher education truly look like? All this and more with Dr. Nimisha Barton, author of “Diversity Practitioners and Institutional Whiteness”, a ...

This month on Humanities Matter, we discuss the variation in literacy rates among India’s social strata, the importance of considering a gendered perspective in adult education policies within the country, and how such policies can empower marginalized communities and bring about social change. All this and more with Dr. Preeti Dagar, author of “Subaltern Perspectives in Adult Education”, a chapter in the book Adult Education in India, Volume 35 in the series International Issues in Adult Edu...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we take a closer look at the documented sightings of the so-called Gloucester Sea Serpent over the years. Are there truly monsters lurking in the deep? Or do these stories reveal a stark truth about marine sustainability and the lasting impact of human fishing practices on our oceans? All this and more with Dr. Robert France, author of Disentangled: Ethnozoology and Environmental Explanation of the Gloucester Sea Serpent, published by Brill. Liked ...

In the second half of this episode on Humanities Matter, we examine when countries might deploy autonomous weapons systems, whether these weapons could better follow international human rights law than humans if properly programmed, the feasibility of a global ban, and the challenges in regulating or limiting their production. All this and more with Dr. Barry de Vries, author of Individual Criminal Responsibility for Autonomous Weapons Systems in International Criminal Law, which is volume 65...

In this special extended episode of Humanities Matter, we take a closer look at Autonomous Weapons Systems and the legal frameworks surrounding their use. What exactly defines an autonomous weapon? Can an individual be held legally responsible for the consequences of deploying such a weapon? And can international law keep pace with the rapid rise of AI-driven weaponry? We answer all these questions and more in the first half of this episode with Dr. Barry de Vries, author of Individual ...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we dive into human rights and humanitarian law development in Asia, exploring current regional challenges, persisting colonial legacies, external geopolitical pressures, and the push for greater accountability against selective enforcement. All this and more with Dr. Matthias Vanhullebusch, co-editor of volumes 7, 8, and 9 of “The Asian Yearbook of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law”, published by Brill. Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want...

This month on Humanities Matter, we take a closer look at a groundbreaking environmental human rights law being developed in Latin America and the Caribbean. What is it? How is it connected to the Escazú Agreement and the American Convention on Human Rights? And how could these developments shape the global conversation on indigenous rights, property laws, sustainable development, and environmental justice? All this and more with Dr. Mario Aguilera, author of the new book Environmental Huma...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we look at the role of regenerative agrourbanism in creating sustainable urban living spaces. How can urban agriculture boost local economies and enhance community well-being? Is it possible to strike a balance between urban aesthetics and food supply? And can restoration design truly heal damaged landscapes and rejuvenate cities? We answer these questions and more with Dr. Robert L. France, author of Regenerative agrourbanism: Experiencing edible placema...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we explore various aspects of adult education, including the influence of Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy, impact of environmental education on social change, and challenges and opportunities when it comes to decolonizing education. We also discuss inclusivity in educational practices, and explore what adult education for a sustainable future looks like. All this and more with Dr. Bonnie Slade, Dr. Peter Mayo, and Dr. Thi Bogossian, editors of the new bo...

It’s pride month! In this episode, we discuss the importance of an intersectional approach to research, the role of adult educators in fostering inclusive learning environments, the power of pop culture in addressing gender and sexuality issues, the homogenisation of the heterogenous trans community, and the rise of rainbow capitalism. We also tackle an important question: When does diversity stop being enough? We speak with Dr. Bonnie Slade, volume editor, and Dr. Ksenija Joksimović and Lidi...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we explore how partnerships among schools, communities, and higher education institutions can help disrupt inequitable social processes. We highlight the unique perspectives that Black educators bring to academic settings, talk about the power of a non-neutral stance in social justice, and understand the crucial role of rest in equity-oriented work. Listen to all this and more from Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Dr. Kelly R. Allen, and Dr. Crystasany R. Turne...

As global crises have time and time again demonstrated, NGOs play an invaluable role in the protection and promotion of human rights. But what exactly does this role entail? How do NGOs fulfil their responsibilities while adapting to technological, commercial, and legal landscape shifts? And finally, who or what really constitutes a protector? We answer these questions and more with Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Volume Editor of The Protection Roles of Human Rights NGOs, which is part of Brill’s “I...