We pledge to cite better.

As many scholars have pointed out, inequitable citation is one of myriad ways that academia actively perpetuates and participates in systemic injustice. The evidence that our habits of citation are neither just nor equitable is everywhere—one need only look at the nearest syllabus or bibliography to see how current citational norms consistently exclude scholars of color and non cis-male scholars. Failure to cite equitably results in erasures and omissions that inhibit the production of academic knowledge and perpetuate cultures of harm against scholars who have been marginalized. But acknowledging this is not enough; we must enact the changes we wish to see.

As members of the academy at all levels, we are responsible for sustaining a community grounded in justice and equity.  

As undergraduate and graduate students, we will:

• Cite both scholars of color and non cis-male scholars in all work submitted for credit, review, or publication.
• When reviewing our peers’ work, hold them to these (minimum) standards of citational inclusion by respectfully but firmly pointing out when these standards are not being met.
• Advocate in our communities for the adoption of policies that promote citational equity.

As teachers, we will:

• Assign primary and secondary materials by both writers and scholars of color and non cis-male writers and scholars in every given module, unit, and/or week of instruction.
• Only give credit for work that cites both scholars of color and non cis-male scholars.
• Incorporate inclusive citation as part of our advising and review processes for student papers, theses, and dissertations.
• Establish clear expectations for citational inclusion in syllabi and assignments.
• Advocate in our communities for the adoption of policies that promote citational equity.

As researchers, we will:

• Cite both scholars of color and non cis-male scholars in all work submitted for review or publication, including theses and dissertations.
• Only present (at conferences, lectures, and other venues for academic exchange) work that cites both scholars of color and non cis-male scholars.
• When reviewing our peers’ work, hold them to these (minimum) standards of citational inclusion by respectfully but firmly pointing out when these standards are not being met.
• Cultivate space in our research programs for further study of citational inclusion and its relationship to equity.

As department chairs and program directors, we will:

• Adopt a departmental policy to give credit to undergraduates and graduate students only for work that cites both scholars of color and non cis-male scholars.
• Adopt a departmental policy that no member or affiliate of our department will publish any work that doesn’t cite work by both scholars of color and non cis-male scholars.
• Apply standards of citational inclusion to any journals, conferences, or other venues for academic exchange that are associated with our departments.

To be reminded of these commitments at the beginning of each semester, sign the pledge!

If you signed the pledge, share it on social media with the hashtag #CiteBetter and follow @Cite_Better on Twitter to join our community

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