This year's Peer Review Week (PRW) is set to delve into the theme of “Innovation and Technology in Peer Review,” uniting over 35 organizations globally in a celebration of peer review's critical role in scholarly communication. The annual event, scheduled for September 23-27, will feature a variety of activities and events designed to explore the evolving landscape of academic publishing and the integral part peer review plays in maintaining research quality.
Chosen through an open global poll that saw 494 participants, the theme reflects the scholarly community's growing interest in how technology can enhance the peer review process. The academic world is rapidly becoming more author-centric, with a heightened focus on research integrity and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). As the volume of publications rises and the pool of available reviewers struggles to keep pace, innovations aimed at streamlining peer review are becoming increasingly essential.
A central topic during Peer Review Week will be the use of AI to automate administrative tasks within the peer review process. By reducing the clerical burden on reviewers, AI allows them to concentrate on critical evaluations, thereby improving efficiency and transparency. Key questions to be addressed include:
• Complementing Reviewer Expertise: Can AI be deployed in a way that enhances the unique value reviewers bring to the table?
• Expanding the Reviewer Pool: How can AI help diversify the pool of reviewers, providing equal opportunities for scholars from under-represented regions?
• Tackling Research Integrity: Can innovative technologies help address the current crisis in research integrity?
The Peer Review Week committee co-chairs emphasize the timeliness of this theme, noting that many of today's most pressing global challenges require interdisciplinary solutions and collaboration. They highlight the potential of technology to facilitate the exchange of ideas and enhance the peer review process, ensuring it remains effective in a rapidly changing academic landscape.
Peer Review Week 2024 invites all members of the scholarly community, as well as those interested in advancing research quality, to join the celebration and engage in the learning experience. Activities will include blog posts, videos, podcasts, infographics, and more. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to submit items for promotion through an online form and share their plans on social media using the hashtags #PeerReviewWeek and #AIinPeerReview.
Last year's Peer Review Week saw over 6,000 sign-ups and nearly 100 events and activities. This year promises to be just as dynamic, with a comprehensive Events/Activities page and a wealth of resources from previous years still available for exploration.
Click here to read the original press release.
