Too Controversial to Publish? When DEI Research Disappears from Journals
- Dr. Shakira J. Grant
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Author: Dr. Shakira J. Grant
Date: April 25, 2025
Key Takeaways
Political interference is silencing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) research, threatening the integrity and independence of science.
Abrupt funding cuts and opaque editorial decisions deepen inequities in academia and erode community trust in research.
Without bold, collective action, we risk widening the gaps in an already fragile academic pipeline — especially for scholars and communities historically excluded from science.
A Personal Journey Undermined
Imagine dedicating over four years to a research project: crafting a grant proposal, awaiting funding approval, assembling a team, and working to build trust within marginalized communities — all to enhance participation from racially minoritized populations in research.
Everything aligns: the grant is awarded, regulatory hurdles are cleared, and community-based interviews and focus groups begin. Data is collected, analyzed, and a manuscript is carefully crafted.
This journey was my reality.
Yet, upon submission, the manuscript was rejected. The only comment from the journal? "This manuscript is of interest..." No critique of methodology. No questions about the findings. Just silence.
That silence suggests something more troubling: that the topic itself — centered on DEI — was deemed too politically risky to publish.
A Systemic Issue: Political Interference in Research
Recent policy shifts have only intensified the challenge. In 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began terminating grants under the claim that projects no longer met "agency priorities." [1] Then, in April, NIH issued new terms prohibiting funding to institutions with DEI programs or those that boycott Israel.[2]
The fallout was staggering: over 678 grant-funded research projects terminated, representing $2.4 billion in withdrawn research support.[2][3] The National Science Foundation soon followed, cancelling more than 400 active DEI-focused grants.[4]
These abrupt shutdowns leave researchers stranded midstream and community partnerships in limbo. The message is clear: politically sensitive research is expendable.
But in community-based research, trust is everything — and once broken, it's not easily rebuilt.
Maya Angelou — "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
The Ripple Effect on Academic Careers
The consequences extend well beyond any one project.
Academic promotions hinge on publishing. DEI-focused scholars — often from marginalized backgrounds themselves — draw on lived experience to produce research that challenges norms and drives systemic change. When this work is rejected or devalued, their careers stall.
In medicine, Black physicians make up only 5% of the workforce.[5] At the assistant professor level, the numbers mirror this — but drop sharply to just 3% at the full professor rank. [6] The academic pipeline is already leaking.[7] Dismantling DEI research programs dismantles the very identities of these scholars — and pushes more of them out of academia altogether.
This is not just about equity in research; it's about the future of the academic and health care workforce.
Eroding Community Trust
When studies are halted or censored, it sends a message to communities: your voice doesn't matter.
Community-based research thrives on mutual investment. Participants share personal stories, lived realities, and aspirations for change. When that work is buried or never sees the light of day, it breaks a silent pact — and future collaboration becomes harder to rebuild.
Martin Luther King Jr-"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
A Collective Call to Action
What began as a single manuscript rejection may only be the tip of the iceberg.
When scientific journals quietly turn away Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) research without transparency or explanation, the stakes go far beyond a single study. The refusal to track and report publishing trends in this area should concern every institution committed to equity and integrity.
We cannot allow decades of progress in closing gaps for marginalized communities to be undone by political fear or institutional complacency. This moment demands clarity, courage, and collective responsibility.
Journal editors, peer reviewers, and publishers must take a hard look at their role in shaping — or stifling — inclusive science. Editorial processes must be transparent. Decisions must be grounded in scientific merit, not political expediency.
But this responsibility does not stop at the publishing gate. The academic community must join forces with advocates, funders, and policymakers to ensure that DEI research is not only protected but also prioritized.
We must:
Reaffirm the essential role of DEI research in advancing public health, education, and justice.
Demand transparency and accountability in peer review, with clear, constructive feedback for all submissions.
Safeguard funding streams for equity-driven research, even in the face of political pushback.
Strengthen mentorship and career pathways for scholars from historically excluded backgrounds.
Scientific progress relies on the full diversity of human experience. If we allow fear to dictate what gets funded, conducted, or published, we're not just censoring ideas — we're erasing the communities those ideas serve.
This Is Our Responsibility
We — the academic community, editors, institutions, and those in positions of power — must not let silence replace science. The cost of doing nothing is a future where truth is filtered, and voices are erased.
We know better. Now we must do better.
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