How journals can break down barriers for Latin American scientists

"Scientists born and based in Latin America - and other historically colonized countries, often referred to as the global south - are familiar with many barriers, including limited funding; reading, writing and communicating their research in a language that isn't their first; unstable economic and political landscapes; and systemic bias in favour of ideas, data, papers and people from the global north."

"Some effects of these inequities are well documented. In my field of aquatic-mammal palaeontology, my colleagues and I have found that having a large proportion of Latin American authors on a paper negatively affects the number of citations it receives ( A. M. Valenzuela-Toro et al. Commun. Biol. 8, 472; 2025). But publications are key to funding, professional assessments, promotions and international networking."

"As a scientist and a woman born, educated and based in Latin America, I propose some steps that editors and publishers - the gatekeepers of publications, who are often scientists from the global north and haven't experienced some of these barriers - can take to level the playing field. Make it easier to submit papers. Routinely ask authors what hurdles they faced, and improve systems. Offer guidance on the editorial and peer-review processes."

Researchers born and based in Latin America and other historically colonized countries face multiple career barriers, including limited funding, language challenges, unstable economic and political conditions, and systemic bias favoring the global north. These barriers increase the likelihood of unequal partnerships and extractive 'parachute' science. A field study found that papers with a large proportion of Latin American authors receive fewer citations, reducing access to funding, promotions, networking, conference invitations and awards. Editors and publishers can reduce disparities by simplifying submission processes, asking authors about hurdles, improving systems, and offering clearer guidance on editorial and peer-review pathways.

Read at Nature