8 April 2024 – Development and Journal of Cell Science, both published by The Company of Biologists, are expanding their collaboration with Review Commons in a six-month pilot. Editors of the two journals will participate in coordinating the peer review of initial submissions to the preprint peer review platform in the fields of developmental and cell biology.
The addition of the editors of Development and Journal of Cell Science will enhance Review Commons’ service to authors by expanding the platform’s capacity and expertise. This complements the work of the existing editorial teams from Review Commons and EMBO Press. By broadening the scientific scope of handling editors, Review Commons will provide authors with an efficient and high-quality peer review process, ensuring that their preprints are handled by the most appropriate experts in a timely manner.
“As a strong supporter of preprints, Development is delighted to be working with Review Commons on this pilot. We’re always keen to innovate in the ways we support our community, and we hope that by combining our expertise and resources with those of EMBO Press, we can contribute to the growth and success of Review Commons,” commented James Briscoe, Editor-in-Chief of Development.
The initiative is an additional step in Review Commons’ efforts to enhance the efficiency and the quality of the preprint peer review process for authors, and also to reduce the burden on reviewers. It follows the addition of eleven new affiliate journals to the platform in 2023, expanding its scope to immunology, genetics and genomics.
“We are very excited and grateful that The Company of Biologists is starting this pilot. It is an important step for Review Commons that will set the stage for a preprint peer review system that benefits from economies of scale and a diversified set of expertise,” said Thomas Lemberger, Review Commons Project Lead.
The pilot with Development and Journal of Cell Science may serve as a blueprint for other journals to join forces and actively contribute to the peer review process at Review Commons. Review Commons and The Company of Biologists look forward to sharing the results of the pilot.
Read the Review Commons blog article “A new trial to support efficient peer review” by Katherine Brown, Executive Editor, Development.
