DEI Policy

Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
The Journal of Medico Informatics (JoMI) is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable scholarly publishing environment. The journal upholds the principles of fairness, diversity, equity, and non-discrimination across all aspects of its editorial and publishing processes. JoMI adheres to internationally recognized ethical standards, including the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing jointly established by COPE, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and is committed to promoting equal opportunity, representation, and inclusion within the global research community.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
JoMI strictly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, disability, marital or family status, socioeconomic background, language, institutional affiliation, career stage, or any other personal characteristic unrelated to academic merit. This prohibition applies to all individuals involved in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial board members. All editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of the scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance of the submitted work, in accordance with the journal's stated aims and scope.

Inclusive Editorial and Peer Review Process
JoMI is committed to ensuring that the editorial and peer review process is conducted in a fair, transparent, unbiased, and respectful manner at all stages. Editors and reviewers are expected to evaluate manuscripts objectively, without prejudice, favoritism, or bias of any kind. Any form of discriminatory language, behavior, or assessment, whether in written reviews, editorial communications, or decisions, is strictly unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Confirmed instances of discriminatory conduct may result in immediate removal from editorial or reviewer responsibilities and, where appropriate, notification of the individual's affiliated institution.

Diversity in Editorial Leadership and Reviewer Community
JoMI actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its Editorial Board, reviewer pool, and author community. The journal is committed to recruiting and retaining editors and reviewers from a wide range of geographic regions, including low- and middle-income countries, academic disciplines, career stages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. This approach is intended to ensure balanced perspectives, minimize systemic bias, and promote genuinely inclusive representation in all editorial decision-making processes. The composition of the Editorial Board is reviewed periodically to assess and improve its diversity and representativeness.

Respectful and Inclusive Language in Manuscripts
Authors are required to use respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory language throughout their manuscripts. This includes the use of person-first or identity-first language where appropriate, gender-neutral terminology, and culturally sensitive framing of research findings and discussions. Manuscripts containing discriminatory, offensive, stereotyping, or otherwise inappropriate language or perspectives will not be considered for publication and will be returned to authors with guidance for revision. The journal endorses the use of terminology that reflects current standards of diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific and medical communication, including guidance from relevant international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the ICMJE.

Accessibility and Global Inclusion
JoMI is committed to supporting equitable access to publishing opportunities for researchers from diverse, underrepresented, and resource-limited regions and communities. The journal promotes open access dissemination, in accordance with DOAJ principles, to ensure that scientific knowledge is freely accessible to all, regardless of institutional resources or geographic location. Where applicable, the journal will consider supporting authors from low- and middle-income countries through fee waivers or reduced publication charges, subject to the journal's financial sustainability policies.

Reporting and Addressing Concerns
Any individual who experiences or witnesses discrimination, bias, harassment, or inequitable treatment during the editorial or peer review process is encouraged to report such concerns to the editorial office in writing. JoMI will investigate all reported concerns in a timely, confidential, and impartial manner, in accordance with COPE guidelines for handling complaints and allegations. Appropriate corrective actions will be taken where concerns are substantiated, including but not limited to reassignment of manuscripts, removal of individuals from editorial roles, and notification of relevant institutions where warranted. The identity of individuals raising concerns will be protected to the extent possible throughout the investigation process.

Monitoring and Accountability
JoMI is committed to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of its diversity and inclusion practices. The journal will periodically review the demographic composition of its editorial board, reviewer pool, and author community, and will publish transparency reports where feasible to demonstrate accountability. Any identified disparities will be addressed through targeted outreach, policy revision, or structural changes to editorial processes. This commitment reflects the journal's recognition that diversity and inclusion require active and sustained effort, not merely formal policy statements.

Commitment to Equity and Integrity
Through this policy, JoMI reaffirms its dedication to creating a scholarly publishing environment that values diversity, promotes inclusion, and ensures equal opportunity for all contributors, regardless of background, identity, or geographic origin. This commitment strengthens the integrity, credibility, and global relevance of the research published in the journal and reflects JoMI's broader responsibility as a participant in the international scholarly communication ecosystem.