LBAJ GLOBAL EQUITY ACCESS PROGRAM
The Language Bridge Academic Journal is committed to fostering global equity in academic publishing by prioritizing access and inclusivity for researchers, educators, and linguists worldwide. Our mission centers on amplifying diverse voices and creating a platform where underrepresented and marginalized communities can contribute to the global academic discourse on language and education.
Countries involved in our global equity initiative include, but are not limited to:
- Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, where we collaborate with emerging scholars to highlight linguistic and educational innovations in multilingual and multicultural settings.
- South Asia: India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, with a focus on addressing the challenges of language equity and the role of English as a medium of instruction in post-colonial contexts.
- Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia, where linguistic diversity and the need for inclusive pedagogy are at the forefront of research contributions.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana, where we amplify research on language policy, indigenous language preservation, and multilingual education.
- Latin America: Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, where bilingual and intercultural education is a key area of focus.
- Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia, with emphasis on English language education reform and cross-linguistic cultural exchange.
- Eastern Europe: Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states, where we encourage submissions addressing language change in evolving socio-political contexts.
- Oceania: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and other Pacific Island nations, where we promote research on the intersection of indigenous and global languages.
Through strategic partnerships with universities, language institutes, and international NGOs, the Language Bridge Academic Journal ensures that financial, linguistic, and systemic barriers to publishing are addressed. By waiving fees for authors from low-income and middle-income countries and supporting open-access policies, we remain steadfast in our goal to create a truly inclusive academic space for all.
Our vision is a future where academic publishing reflects the true diversity of global scholarship, empowering communities and driving innovation in language education and linguistic research worldwide.
Sliding Scale for Article Processing Charges (APC) in Language Bridge Academic Journal
To promote global equity and inclusivity in academic publishing, Language Bridge Academic Journal has implemented a sliding scale for Article Processing Charges (APC) based on the World Bank classification of countries by income level. This structure ensures that financial barriers do not hinder researchers from sharing their valuable contributions.
| Income Level (World Bank Classification) | Countries (Examples) | APC Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Low-Income Countries (LICs) | Afghanistan, Chad, Mozambique, Nepal, Yemen | 100% Fee Waiver – APC fully waived. |
| Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) | Uzbekistan, India, Vietnam, Nigeria, Egypt | 75% Reduction – Researchers pay only 25% of the APC. |
| Upper-Middle-Income Countries (UMICs) | Kazakhstan, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Tunisia | 50% Reduction – Researchers pay 50% of the APC. |
| High-Income Countries (HICs) | United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia | Full APC – Standard fees apply. |
Key Details:
- Transparency: Researchers are automatically considered for reductions or waivers based on their institutional affiliation’s country classification. During the submission process, we ask for both mailing and billing addresses and both of these need to be in an eligible country (not necessarily the same one) in order to qualify.
- Additional Support: Authors facing financial hardship, regardless of country classification, may apply for further APC assistance.
- Collaboration Incentives: Multinational teams with authors from LICs or LMICs are eligible for discounts proportionate to the representation of these regions in the research team.
- Fee Waiver Coverage: Waivers and reductions include the cost of peer review, editing, and online publication to ensure equitable access to high-quality publishing standards.
This model ensures equitable opportunities for global researchers, enabling diverse and impactful contributions to language education and linguistic research.