8. The Politics of Infrastructuring Inclusivity

This chapter examines the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) as a global open knowledge infrastructure, centring on the inherent tensions between establishing global standards and fostering inclusivity in scholarly publishing. Our analysis is grounded in a theoretical framework drawing from Science and Technology Studies (STS), critical information studies, and epistemic justice literature, employing key concepts such as infrastructuring and the politics of classification (Bowker & Star, 2000), and epistemic injustice (Fricker, 2007). We interrogate how DOAJ navigates the challenge of defining and maintaining quality criteria without reinforcing global power imbalances and perpetuating epistemic injustices, which disproportionately affect journals from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The chapter outlines DOAJ's history, tracing the evolution of its indexing criteria and highlighting the complex categorical work involved in managing standards and anomalies in classification systems. We argue that DOAJ adopts a participatory, community-led approach, conceptualizing it as an inclusive knowledge infrastructure that actively seeks to redress power relations. The Ambassador Programme (AP) is presented as a crucial case study of this inclusive infrastructuring. Established through IDRC funding to improve OA publishing in the Global South, the AP recruits local experts to build capacity, promote good practices, and serve as liaisons, effectively bridging the gap between global standards and local realities.A comprehensive 2024 review of the AP revealed that while the program is effective in countering pervasive epistemic injustices, its organic growth necessitated a new structure, clearer roles focused on outreach, and dedicated regional funding. In response, DOAJ redefined the AP’s focus to LMICs, introduced Senior Ambassador roles to coordinate regional efforts, and developed a structured training plan. Ultimately, the AP demonstrates that infrastructuring inclusivity is not a one-time design challenge, but a continuous, reflexive process. The chapter concludes that DOAJ's participatory and developmental approach, particularly through the AP, is essential for shaping a more just and equitable global knowledge ecosystem.