What we do

In coordination with the Research Council of Norway (Forskningsradet) and funded by the Cost Action European Network for Evaluation in the Social Science and Humanities (ENRESSH), this project is working to develop guidelines to help peer review panels assess ex-ante Impact statements within grant applications.  To do this, the project has developed a conceptual model that applicants can use to make credible impact plans in their proposals, which are then used by panelists to assess these.

SA recent article in Nature decried the lack of systematic training for PhD students in peer review.  Together with the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University which offers a unique 4-year, part-time PhD programme divided into a two-part coursework and thesis component, we are working to build peer review training into way in which assessments are designed and delivered for post-graduate research students.  Here we aim to offer students the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills in relation to scholarly peer review, better equipping them with this vital academic skill.