Our mission is to further the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide — and this is at the heart of everything we do.
To fulfil this mission, we produce and disseminate high quality products and services across the world, with a presence in around 50 countries and more than 5,000 passionate colleagues worldwide key to making this happen.
There is no denying that we are living in a state of flux; from rapid technological advances to the real-life impact of climate change that we see playing out across the globe, it’s difficult to predict what the immediate future will bring.
In this time of uncertainty, we recognize the crucial role that publishers play in furthering knowledge and discourse around the most pressing topics, and how the ideas conveyed through publishing can have a profound impact on society and our ability to understand the world around us.
However, responsible publishing is not just about producing robust and credible content; it’s also about ensuring that it is disseminated in an equitable and sustainable way—whether that’s through enabling open access, advancing the principles of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, upholding ethical conduct, or reducing our own environmental impact.
This report reflects OUP's ongoing commitment to operating responsibly. It showcases our achievements from the past year and speaks to our ambitions for the future, demonstrating the steps we are taking to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Some highlights include:
Embarking on a project to better understand climate risks and opportunities, and the potential they have to impact our operations.
Aligning with the South African government’s initiative to address poor literacy and numeracy skills across the country, with our own Road to Literacy campaign.
Supporting Book Aid International to donate books all over the world and give people access to valuable education resources.
'I am extremely proud of the progress we have made towards our responsible publishing targets and the continued dedication of our colleagues to initiatives and activities that make a real and long-lasting difference. We will continue to uphold these principles and seek to review and improve our processes wherever possible, so that our publishing and the way in which we work reflect the values and needs of the communities we serve and, indeed, the wider world.'
Nigel Portwood
Chief Executive Officer, Oxford University Press
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