Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

This policy reflects the principles of the Joint Commitment for Action on Inclusion and Diversity in Publishing (C4DISC), the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and recognized standards for inclusive and respectful scholarly language. It applies to authors, reviewers, editors, and members of the Editorial Team.

The journal values diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect in scholarly communication. The journal is committed to fostering an editorial environment that supports the fair participation of researchers across countries, institutions, disciplines, cultural backgrounds, career stages, and perspectives. It seeks to ensure that its editorial processes are impartial, transparent, and accessible, promoting equal opportunities throughout the submission, peer review, and publication process.

All submissions are evaluated exclusively on the basis of scientific merit, originality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope. Editorial decisions must not be influenced by an author's nationality, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, health condition, political views, institutional affiliation, language background, or socioeconomic status. Editors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial and Advisory Committees are expected to conduct their responsibilities with professionalism, impartiality, respect, and fairness, applying the journal's standards consistently to all submissions.

The journal actively promotes diversity within its editorial structures and reviewer community by seeking geographic, institutional, and disciplinary representation when appointing editors and committee members, broadening its reviewer pool to include researchers from different countries and career stages, and encouraging the participation of early-career scholars and researchers from academic communities that are often underrepresented in scholarly publishing. The composition of these structures is reviewed periodically to identify and address potential imbalances. This commitment directly reflects the journal's mission to broaden international scholarship in applied economics, particularly research concerning Ibero-American and other emerging and developing economies. By publishing in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, the journal enables researchers to communicate findings in languages relevant to their evidence and policy audiences while supporting international discoverability. Geographic, institutional, and linguistic diversity therefore forms an integral part of the journal's contribution to academic debate, rigorous peer review, and the advancement of knowledge.

This journal supports equitable access to scholarly publication and seeks to reduce barriers to scientific communication. Under its Diamond Open Access model, the journal charges no submission or article processing fees, ensuring that publication opportunities do not depend on the financial resources of authors or their institutions. The journal applies its editorial requirements and publication conditions consistently and transparently. It also strives to make published content accessible to the widest possible readership, including people who use assistive technologies, by favoring accessible formats and the clear presentation of articles and metadata.

Authors are expected to use inclusive, respectful, and contextually appropriate language, avoiding discriminatory, stigmatizing, or prejudicial expressions and respecting the dignity and rights of the individuals and communities represented in their research. When studies involve specific populations, authors must describe relevant group characteristics accurately and without bias, following recognized reporting guidance for variables such as sex, gender, race, and ethnicity whenever applicable to the research.

The journal does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or other exclusionary conduct during the submission, peer review, editorial, or publication process.