LIBER’s Innovative Peer Review Working Group has two key aims: to explore a wide spectrum of challenges in the peer review field and to understand how research libraries can further facilitate the progressive elements of the scholarly communication system.
Why Is Innovation in Peer Review Needed?
We believe that scholarly communication should embrace technical advancements, and the associated opportunities, in order to abandon obsolete and counter-productive means of peer review. Equally, we need to react to social demands for openness: a quality which we hope can be installed as an inherent property of contemporary publishing systems.
There are several developments that the world of scholarly communication currently faces related to peer-reviewing:
- reviewing in transversal publication modes;
- connecting preprint servers to overlay journals;
- finding a balance between expediting the process without jeopardising the quality;
- reviewing not only in journal and conference publications but also in research funding applications;
- exploring transparency concepts;
- integrating with research assessment;
- understanding the role of citizens (vox populi) and machines (the mechanical reviewer) in peer review.
These are some of the developments that can lead to great opportunities for research libraries, especially in the areas of service development, engagement, and training.
How Can I Join?
We are looking for professionals working at LIBER libraries who have experience in areas such as peer review, publishing and editorial units, or in helping run advanced repositories. Library staff working on Open Science software, or those responsible for the advancement of Open Science in their institutions, are also welcome to apply.
Are you Interested? Please express your interest by contacting Dr Giannis Tsakonas, Chair of the Innovative Scholarly Communication Steering Committee.
Note: LIBER strongly values diversity and equality. We particularly welcome applications from female candidates as they are currently under-represented within some of our Working Groups.
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash