The Academic Wheel of Privilege: An equity-based tool for authorship order

Authorship order in academia is not just a matter of protocol, but a critical determinant of research impact and professional advancement. However, the decision-making process often overlooks justice and equity, leading to a skewed distribution of authorship that favours privileged individuals, thereby exacerbating credit disparities for marginalised researchers. In response, we introduce the Academic Wheel of Privilege (AWoP): a comprehensive toolkit, anchored by an app and supplemented with educational materials, designed to guide equitable authorship order decisions. The AWoP transcends traditional frameworks by integrating accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, equity, and social justice. It is particularly beneficial in situations where contribution levels are difficult to assess or where systemic biases might influence decisions. Central to the AWoP's mission is its capacity to promote critical discussions on academic privilege, intersectionality, and power dynamics, nurturing a research culture characterised by accountability and a collaborative spirit in research. By adopting this tool, the academic community can move towards a research ethos that recognises and values diverse backgrounds and experiences. The AWoP’s goal is not only to reform authorship practices but also to inspire a broader transformation towards fairness and inclusiveness in the academic landscape.