The fight against disinformation in the realm of infectious diseases receives a powerful boost as the MIT Press and UC Berkeley School of Public Health unveil their latest collaborative effort: Rapid Reviews\Infectious Diseases (RR\ID). Expanding upon the success of Rapid Reviews\COVID-19 (RR\C19), this new journal seeks to extend the application of its innovative preprint review model to a broader range of infectious diseases and emerging pandemics.
The driving force behind RR\ID is the steadfast commitment to address the ongoing challenges of misinformation and the rapid spread of false scientific information. RR\ID leverages the success of RR\C19 and adapts its open 'curate, review, publish' approach to tackle an array of infectious diseases such as monkeypox, dengue fever, herpes, and more.
RR\ID is more than just a journal; it embodies a vital mission to prevent the spread of misleading scientific information and expedite the validation and dissemination of robust, impactful scientific findings. The journal's editorial team will engage with global academic communities and employ AI-driven mechanisms to ensure rigorous review standards that stakeholders worldwide can rely on for informed decision-making.
Moreover, RR\ID aims to democratize access to reliable research by fostering inclusivity and diversity within scientific publishing. The journal's ambitious plan includes expanding their unique student training and mentoring model to collaborate with at least 12 academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This initiative aligns with their goal to create a global community of well-trained researchers and scientists who are equipped to contribute to the ongoing advancement of science and knowledge dissemination.
RR\ID's forerunner, RR\C19, was launched in the early days of the pandemic and emerged as a pioneering open-access overlay journal conducting rapid formal peer reviews of COVID-19-related research preprints. The journal's accomplishments have been widely recognized, earning the 2022 Association of American Publishers’ PROSE Award for Innovation in Journal Publishing. RR\C19 has completed over 600 reviews and established itself as a crucial resource in debunking false information while contributing to the broader fight against misinformation.
With the introduction of Rapid Reviews\Infectious Diseases, the MIT Press and UC Berkeley School of Public Health are reinforcing their commitment to the integrity of scientific knowledge dissemination and the global pursuit of accurate and impactful information in the realm of infectious diseases.
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