The IPG supports and promotes diversity in publishing in all its forms. We are committed to inclusion and equality of employment, and to championing publishing that properly serves and represents the UK’s population.

We regularly cover issues of diversity in our events, blogs, podcasts and other channels. We are proud of the contributions made by many of our members to diversity in both output and employment, and celebrate their achievements by presenting the Alison Morrison Diversity Award as part of our annual Independent Publishing Awards.

We run a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Group that champions progress and identifies practical things we might all do to encourage further change. Our Group is open to all members, and we welcome suggestions for new resources and services to support independent publishers’ work. We are developing constructive plans for meaningful action, and would love to hear all views. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved in our Group.

We support industry groups that promote equal employment opportunities and better access to our industry.

Organisations that do valuable work to encourage diversity in publishing include:

Creative Access, an organisation that provides opportunities for paid internships in the creative industries for young people from under-represented BAME backgrounds. Details of the latest Creative Access vacancies are here. Creative Access also manages the Mo Siewcharran Fund, which offers grants to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a career in the Arts; details of the Mo Siewcharran Fund are here.

The Book Trade Charity, which helps people from underrepresented backgrounds and outside London to begin their publishing careers by providing financial help with interview and internship costs. There is more information about the Book Trade Charity resources here.

Everybody In is a charter   led by Inclusive Minds and industry groups to improve diversity in children’s books.

Publishing Training Centre, which provides training on numerous aspects of publishing including HR and people management.

The Spare Room Project, a cross-industry initiative that provides interns and people seeking work experience or interviews in London with accommodation from publishing professionals.

Proud Employers, a jobs website managed by Stonewall that caters exclusively for LGBT people and their allies and helps candidates find roles in organisations that are committed to diversity and inclusion.

The Inclusive Media website has some useful resources for those working across the spectrum of the creative industries. Of particular relevance to publishers is the Best Practice Guidance.

 

 

Resources

Podcast: Large Print in Publishing

Posted on 03/10/2023

Making content accessible

Posted on 04/08/2023

Podcast: The Mo Siewcharran Fund

Posted on 16/06/2022

Podcast on accessibility

Posted on 29/01/2021

Podcast with Elise Dillsworth on diversity in publishing

Posted on 03/12/2020
Listen to our podcast episode with literary agent and DIPNet co-founder Elise Dillsworth.

Five tips for publishing inclusive children’s books

Posted on 25/11/2020
Inclusion and equality consultant Beth Cox offers advice for children’s publishers

Five steps to diverse recruitment

Posted on 28/10/2020
Advice on what publishers can do to reduce unconscious bias and create a more inclusive industry

LGBT Inclusivity at Work

Posted on 21/09/2020
How to access the information shared by Stonewall at the IPG's Virtual Autumn Conference 2020

Reflecting Realities report

Posted on 01/09/2020
News from the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

Diversifying content in education

Posted on 20/08/2020
Eela Devani discusses the need for more variety in educational content and formats

Diverse books and discoverability

Posted on 31/07/2020
Links to advice from EDItEUR