Frontiers, a pioneer in gold open access publishing, is breaking new ground with the launch of a community-focused recognition program designed to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of its editors and reviewers to the peer review process. This initiative, crafted with input from over 600 researchers, is a departure from traditional recognition programs and is currently undergoing a pilot phase across four journals: Frontiers in Marine Science, Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers in Pharmacology, and Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Commencing in September 2023, the pilot program goes beyond conventional acknowledgment efforts by offering participating editors and reviewers the unique opportunity to redeem recognition points in exchange for article publishing charge (APC) discount vouchers for personal use.
What sets this program apart is its innovative approach, allowing participants to go a step further by choosing to donate their accrued benefits to a community fund. This fund will be instrumental in providing discounts to researchers from low-income and low-middle-income countries who seek support for their work.
Frontiers has previously explored recognition programs, but the new pilot program marks a significant stride toward aligning recognition efforts with the values and expectations of the Frontiers community. The program's development has been closely guided by the collaboration of hundreds of contributing reviewers and editors, resulting in a personalized recognition system that goes beyond the conventional voucher code. By enabling participants to pay their benefits forward, the program aims to foster growth within researchers' communities.
The pilot program is slated to run for an initial six to nine months, with the hope of a broader rollout in late 2024. Editors and reviewers from the participating journals can access additional information in the 'how it works' and FAQs section of My Frontiers.
Frontiers' community-focused recognition program exemplifies a commitment to nurturing collaboration, fostering inclusivity, and recognizing the integral role played by editors and reviewers in advancing open science.
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