Three reasons reviewing papers is good for you (and an update on the call for reviewers)
Let’s be honest: reviewing papers takes time, and although in theory many academics are allocated hours to engage in “service” activities, in reality most of us need to squeeze it in around all the other calls on our time.
So why do it? Here are three reasons why I think reviewing papers is good for us.
It helps us stay in touch
For many of us, the daily grind of teaching, marking and trying to keep our own research boat afloat means we have very little time to engage with what others in very similar fields are doing. It is useful to read what others in the field are thinking about and trying to achieve. Even the very poorest submissions (and hopefully we don’t get too many of them!) reinforce our convictions on how NOT to approach a problem.
It helps our careers
Careful and considered reviews of papers help to ensure that our academic disciplines continue to grow and develop in excellence. This ensures that the disciplines we work in continue to be held in high esteem, which is good for all of our careers.
It is good for our souls
A bit of a stretch? Research shows that helping others is good for us. Let’s remember that we’re not just reviewing papers, we’re actually helping fellow academics, junior researchers, PhD students and other professionals working in related fields.
Received another invitation to review papers? Remember: it’s good for you too.
Update on the ASCILITE 2017 review process
The call for reviewers for ASCILITE 2017 has now closed and we have contacted everyone who expressed interest in reviewing to invite them to be part of our peer review mentoring program. This year, we are offering the opportunity for reviewers to mentor other reviewers or be mentored. Those who choose to sign up as mentees will have the opportunity to send one of their reviews to their mentor for feedback before submitting the review.
Did you miss the call for reviewers? If you've got a burning desire to review for ASCILITE, we won't say no! Please contact us at ascilite2017@usq.edu.au to by Friday 2 June to let us know you want to be involved.
Help us make ASCILITE 2017 great!
The intellectual strength of the ASCILITE 2017 conference derives in part from the rigour of our peer review process. We need your help to ensure we can review submissions and provide quality feedback to authors in a timely manner.
We're looking for people with a range of experience - academics, learning designers, educational technologists, librarians, teaching and learning scholars and more - to peer review submissions.
This year, we have invited submissions in a variety of formats, including:
- Full papers
- Concise papers
- Digital posters
- Debates
- Lightning talks
- Lightning rounds
- Open fishbowls
- Experimental sessions
- Post conference workshops
Full papers, concise papers and digital posters will be double blind peer reviewed. All other submission types will be double peer (not blind) reviewed.
You can sign up to undertake double blind peer reviews, double (not blind) peer reviews, or both! If you choose to undertake double blind peer reviews, we'll allocate you 2 to 4 submissions in areas that match your expertise. If you'd rather undertake double (not blind) peer reviews, you'll be allocated between 4 and 6 submissions (these are shorter submissions) in areas that align with your expertise.
Many hands make light work, and a robust review process makes for a great conference! Please consider raising your hand to review for ASCILITE 2017. We'd love to have you on board!
Find out more or sign up to review now!
