About
Founded in January 2013, Inclusive Minds is an organisation that works with the children’s book world to support them in authentic representation, primarily by connecting those in the industry with those who have lived experience of any or multiple facets of diversity.
When Inclusive Minds launched over 10 years ago, it played a valuable role in helping to raise awareness of the importance of better and more authentic inclusion in children’s books. The organisation has always evolved with the changing needs of the industry and as awareness of the need for diversity and inclusion has dramatically risen in recent years there is less need for Inclusive Minds to campaign for books to be inclusive, and a greater need for the practical services we offer in terms of helping ensure authenticity.
Inclusive Minds do not edit or rewrite texts, but provide book creators with valuable insight from people with the relevant lived experience that they can take into consideration in the wider process of writing and editing.
Over the years, many children’s book publishers in the UK (from small independents to members of the big five publishing houses) have contacted us to be connected with our network of Authenticity Advocates (formerly known as Inclusion ambassadors). This is a network of people with many different lived experiences who are willing to share their insight to help book creators in the process of creating authentically – and often incidentally – inclusive books. They are not sensitivity readers.
We encourage book creators (usually publishers and sometimes authors and illustrators) to submit connection request to the network at the earliest possible stage of a book’s development, so that Authenticity Advocates can share nuances related to their lived experience as characters are created and plots are developed. This makes it very different from sensitivity reading which tends to happen at a very late stage in the process. Involving the Advocates is not about cutting potentially controversial content but rather about including and embedding authenticity and inclusive voices and experiences from the outset. These connections provide valuable insight that complements the many other forms of research a book creator will use to ensure authentic inclusion.
Occasionally publishers approach us to consult when looking to reprint older titles. Whilst this is not the main focus for the organisation or the Advocates (and we believe better authenticity is achieved through input at development stages), we do think those with lived experience can provide valuable input when it comes to reviewing language that can be damaging and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. In all our work with marginalised young people, the very real negative impact and damage caused to self-worth and mental health from biased, stereotypical and inauthentic representation is a recurring theme.
On any project, it’s the role of the Advocate to help identify language and portrayals that could be inauthentic or problematic, and to highlight why, as well as indicate potential solutions. The publisher (and / or author) can then take this feedback into account when making informed decisions regarding how the project moves forward and what is implemented. Inclusive Minds is here to connect people with relevant lived experience to help in the wider process and do not edit or rewrite text.
Partners
