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Publishing Guidelines

As a publisher with a global reputation for scientific excellence, and in line with our Charter, CSIRO Publishing recognises the importance of high standards throughout the publication process. Our policies support this, and demonstrate our commitment to openness, transparency, and reproducibility in publishing.

 

Diversity and Inclusion in Publishing

We aim to embed Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives throughout our publishing program to foster an inclusive culture for our people and our authors, and for our readers through our publications.

To further this aim, we ask our book authors to consider inclusivity when developing their manuscript for submission, including in the language they use, the representation of diverse perspectives and sensitivity statements where appropriate.

 

Use of artificial intelligence tools and technologies

Materials generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT or Large Language Models (LLMs) may not be protected by copyright. Further, AI tools cannot be listed as an author on a manuscript. Use of AI tools in any aspect of the collection and analysis of data, generation of ideas or in preparation of a manuscript must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript (usually in Acknowledgements). The author(s) should describe how the AI tool was used, how the tool’s outputs were validated, and which tool was used (name, version, model, source). 

Authors are responsible for the full content of their manuscript and are requested to check any part generated by an AI tool for accuracy and integrity, and to ensure all relevant sources are cited. 

 

Use of inclusive language
Inclusive language comprises carefully chosen words and phrases that are respectful and promote the acceptance and value of all people. It is language that is free from words, phrases or tones that demean, insult, exclude, stereotype or trivialise people based on their membership of a certain group or because of a particular attribute. As such, inclusive language should make no assumptions about the beliefs or background of any reader and contain nothing which might imply that one individual is superior to another on any grounds, including but not limited to: age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, disability or health condition.

We encourage the use of generic pronouns (e.g. ‘they’ as default wherever possible instead of ’he/she’) and recommend avoiding the use of descriptors that refer to personal attributes, unless there is contextual, scientific or clinical relevance.

These guidelines should be used to assist in identifying appropriate language but are by no means exhaustive or definitive. For further guidance on inclusive language see Inclusive language | Style Manual. If there are questions about language use and/or publishing with regards to First Nations people, please contact your Publisher.

 

Sensitivities statements
CSIRO Publishing supports the integration of diverse histories, knowledge and perspectives in our publications as well as representing traditional practices and voices of First Nations peoples. We encourage authors to consider working with co-authors from diverse backgrounds to provide different perspectives and experiences that will enrich the work.

To provide context or assist understanding, authors may occasionally use photographs or quotes to represent historical perspective. This content might include language that is now considered offensive to some readers or photographs and names of deceased First Nations peoples that require sensitivity warnings.

In addition to our authors’ due diligence in ensuring the use of language or images is appropriate and cited in historical context, we ask for the inclusion of cultural warnings and sensitivity statements within a book, where appropriate. These warnings will also be added to the preliminary pages during the editing and typesetting process. This ensures we are giving adequate notice of sensitive content before it is seen by our readers.

We have provided some options below that can be used or adapted for the specific context of the chapter:

  • Warning: This chapter contains terms, descriptions and opinions used for historical context that may be culturally sensitive and/or offensive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Warning: This chapter/book contains the names and/or images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Warning: This chapter/book contains terms, descriptions and opinions used for historical context that may be culturally sensitive for some readers. It also includes the names and/or images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Warning: This chapter/book contains terms, descriptions and opinions used for context that may be offensive to some readers.