Join us as Reviewer
The University Trust and the University Journal of Society are welcome the scholar to join as a reviewer. We are keen to hear from researchers ready to take the next step in their publishing careers. If you think reviewing might be the right move for you.
If you want to join as a reviewer please submit your Curriculum Vitae to the editor. Your Curriculum Vitae should mention your detailed academic qualification, all working experience, and your publications. You also need to submit the full text of your five best publications.
At the first stage, you may need to work under the mentorship of a senior colleague to carry out your first review. They should be able to offer you practical help and advice as well as support when needed.
Why review?
Whether this is your first time reviewing or you are a seasoned professional, we explain why you should say yes next time an editor asks you to review.
Reviewing establishes you as an expert in your field of research – it’s a great way to enhance your academic or professional reputation.
You get the opportunity to read cutting-edge research before it has even been published.
Reviewing offers an ideal opportunity to exercise your critical thinking skills in a private arena.
You can return the favour – you are very likely a published author which means others have found the time to review your papers, now you can repay the courtesy.
Building a relationship with a journal editorial team increases your chances of being invited to join an Editorial Advisory or Review Board.
Reviewing for a University Trust Journal (University Journal of Society) entitles you to many benefits as well as you will get a social reputation in the academic world. Your work will also be recognised by the University Trust and you will get a certificate for recognition for your valuable work.
Reviewer guidelines
Our reviewers play a crucial role in the publication process with a wide range of responsibilities. We have developed some reviewer guidelines to support you at each stage of the process.
Before you review
You will receive an email inviting you to review for a journal, case study or book proposal with the option to accept or decline.
Here are some things to think about before you make your decision…
Respond to your review request
You can accept or decline your review request from your invite email. For journals and case studies, the manuscript or case will be sent to your reviewer centre on our editorial system, which you can access directly from your email.
Review the manuscript
You will be asked detailed questions to encourage you to consider all aspects of the manuscript.
Ethics
Originality
Layout and format
Title
Structured abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Statistics
Results
Conclusion/discussion
Graphics and tables
Language
Implications for research
Quality of communication
Make your recommendation
You will make an overall recommendation to the editor or publisher to complete your review and they will take this into account when they make their decision. The most common recommendation criteria are:
Accept
Minor revisions required
Major revisions required
Reject
Minor revisions
This varies from journal to journal and article to article. However, minor revisions often require the author to make relatively small adjustments to the paper, which don’t take much time. They might be related to author guideline requirements, e.g. a slight reduction in word count; formatting changes, such as the labelling of tables or figures; further evidence of an understanding of the research literature in the field; or a slight elaboration on the research findings.
Major revisions
Major revisions often require the author to make more significant improvements, the types which take weeks or even months, rather than days. Authors may be asked to address flaws in the methodology; collect more data; conduct a more thorough analysis, or even adjust the research question to ensure the paper contributes something truly original to the body of work.
If you are new to reviewing, the Publons Academy offers a peer review training course.
The University Trust and the University Journal of Society will also organise the workshop for the reviewer if this is needed.
This is mandatory to follow the ethics at all level for every member and associated with the University Trust and University Journal of Society as well as the content creator/ author.
Please find and follow the ethics section for detail.
Where to Contact to Become a Reviewer
Please write to the editor with your detailed Curriculum Vitae and five sample publication.
Document ID: UJS/2008/JoinUsReviewer
