The Center for Science of Science & Innovation (CSSI)
Global Poverty Research Lab
Northwestern Research Feedback Project is an academic feedback program that aims to facilitate paper feedback by connecting authors with their peer discussants.
Scholars often lack opportunities of effective feedback on their research, especially of paper-specific improvement suggestions and career advice. The situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as opportunities to participate in and network at conferences and seminars have been limited.
Northwestern Research Feedback Project helps to establish first-step author-discussant meeting on the author's working paper or manuscript prior to journal submissions. Scholars interested in this program are invited to register and upload their manuscripts. The program will match submissions to suitable potential discussants when available.
If you would like to benefit from this program, improve your scholarship, and make new connections, join us!
More detail about our process can be found in THE PROCESS and FAQs.
1. Applications are submitted by scholars interested in obtaining feedback from experienced scholars in their fields. Specifically, applicants should submit one working paper for review by a potential discussant.
2. Applications will be reviewed and participants will be notified whether a discussant has been found.
3. Author-discussant pairings will be scheduled for a 30-minute meeting about potential revisions and future research directions.
1. Discussants will receive a draft from authors who submitted a working paper matching the reviewer’s expertise.
2. After critically reviewing the draft, discussants will be scheduled for a 30-minute meeting with the author to share their feedback. In order to make the review process efficient, sending written comments in advance is encouraged as well.
1. Who are the targeted authors?
Targeted authors are scholars who are looking for an opportunity to receive peer advice on specific papers. We especially welcome senior Ph.D. students, postdocs, and junior faculty members affiliated with academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries.
2. Is there a constraint of career stages for authors?
No, we welcome submissions from both junior and senior scholars! We firmly believe that scholars at different careers stages would benefit from our research feedback program. We particularly encourage junior scholars affiliated with academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries to sign-up.
3. Is there a cost for the research feedback program?
The program is totally FREE.
4. Can I choose my discussant myself?
Currently, we do not have the resources to accommodate such requests. We will do our best to choose a suitable discussant for you in terms of research interest and if, for some reason, the connection is not working well, you can request a re-match.
5. What will I do as an author?
Apply by clicking the sign-up link. Then, submit your draft as well as your personal information via the EasyChair system. We'll notify you within three weeks regarding next steps if we are able to find a match.
6. What benefits will I gain from this research feedback program?
a. Access to a structured peer-feedback relationship with scholars from highly-ranked institutions.
b. Constructive criticism on your publication drafts.
c. Advice from your discussants on potentially promising areas for future scholarship.
1. Who are the discussants?
Our discussants are scholars from highly-ranked research institutions.
2. Is there a cost for the research feedback program?
It is totally FREE.
3. Can I choose the author myself?
Currently, we do not have the resources to accommodate such requests. We will do our best to choose a suitable author for you in terms of research interest and if, for some reason, the connection is not working well, you can request a re-match.
4. What will I do as a discussant?
You will critically review a draft assigned to you within 21 days (3 weeks). Once finished the review, you’ll be scheduled for a 30-minute discussion with the mentee to share your feedback. In order to make the review process efficient, sending written comments in advance is encouraged.
5. What benefits will I gain from this research feedback program?
a. Expand the thought diversity of science through peer feedback.
b. Nurture the next generation of young scientists within your field.
c. Learn about the topics that junior scholars find most pressing, and meet potential future collaborators.
d. “The rose is in her hand, the flavor in mine.” In other words, passing on wisdom is among the most rewarding elements of the scientific process.
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