Review Statement
Sur-Sur Southern knowledges: Education, sustainability and social transformation 2026 edition was developed with the support of the Library and Western Open Books. Western Sydney University’s initiative empowers authors to create and publish open-access textbooks and resources that align with the University’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the heart of this initiative are rigorous quality assurance processes that ensure all open textbooks meet the highest standards and address the needs of diverse audiences.
Copyright, Turnitin and Submission Reviews
Upon submission to Western Open Books, the manuscript underwent a series of in-house quality and compliance checks. A copyright review was conducted by the Copyright & Licensing Specialist, who assessed all third-party materials to ensure they were used appropriately and in accordance with their respective licences. The review included verifying permissions, reviewing Creative Commons and other open licences, checking attribution requirements and ensuring compliance with Western Sydney University’s Intellectual Property Policy and the Australian copyright framework. The School Librarian supported this process by assisting the author in identifying suitable openly licensed alternatives where needed.
A Turnitin similarity report was generated at submission to confirm academic integrity and verify originality. Any items requiring clarification were examined and resolved before the manuscript progressed to the next stage of production.
Reviewers
We extend our sincere gratitude to the reviewers of this book for their time, expertise, and generosity. Expert review represents a significant act of scholarly service, and the reviewers’ contributions were instrumental in strengthening the quality, credibility, and pedagogical value of this open textbook.
Peer Review
Following submission checks, the textbook underwent a rigorous peer review process involving two subject experts from different higher education institutions. Both reviewers conducted double open reviews aligned with their respective areas of expertise. As specialists in sustainability, they provided detailed and constructive feedback that enhanced the accuracy, relevance, and educational effectiveness of the text.
The reviewers evaluated the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and suitability of the content for its intended audience. Additional areas of focus included clarity, organisational structure, narrative flow, cultural relevance, and long-term applicability. The author incorporated the majority of the reviewers’ recommendations, resulting in a more refined and impactful final text.
- Dr Felipe Hidalgo Kawada, University of Sydney, Australia
- Professor Juan de Dios Oyarzún Morel, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Translation Review
The Spanish version of this textbook was translated using DeepL Pro Translator and reviewed by professional Spanish-language reviewers. The review prioritised conceptual accuracy, terminological consistency, and the use of an academic register equivalent to the original English. Neutral Spanish was adopted to ensure accessibility for a broad, international readership. Content, structure, citations, and references were preserved without addition, omission, or reinterpretation.
- Professor Claudio Díaz Larenas, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Concepción, Chile
- Fernando Munoz Vilches, Chile
- Elizabet Priscila O’Shee, Chile
- Miguel Angel Agurto Gajardo, Chile
Copyediting and Accessibility Review
The manuscript then underwent a full copyediting and accessibility review undertaken by SuperScript Writing and Editing, an external professional editing service engaged by Western Open Books. Using the program’s standardised quality assurance checklists, the editor assessed the text for clarity, consistency, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and readability. Structural coherence and navigability across chapters were also reviewed to ensure a clear and logical reading experience. This open textbook has been prepared in accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition). Headings, citations, references, tables, figures, and general formatting follow APA 7 guidelines, with minor adaptations to support web-based publishing and accessibility.
An accessibility review was completed to support inclusive learning at Western Sydney University. This included checks on heading structures, alternative text for images, colour contrast, table formatting, hyperlink clarity and screen reader compatibility. Recommendations from this review were incorporated to maximise usability for diverse learners.
Finding Additional Reviews
Further reviews of this text may be available through open repositories such as: