SAGE and Publons expand peer review partnership

Publisher SAGE has extended its partnership with online platform Publons, following a successful trial. The move means Publons' reviewer recognition service will now be rolled out to 500 of SAGE's academic journals.

Using the service, journal reviewers can add a verified record of every peer review they have completed to their profile on the Publons platform. This means their work in this area can be more visible and also measurable, with greater recognition of the work by their institutions and journal editors. At the same time their anonymity, as to which individual reviews they have written, is maintained.

Publons said it aims to improve the quality and efficiency of peer review and scholarly communication because, if it is measurable, there is a greater incentive for academics to undertake it. Publons co-founder and c.e.o. Andrew Preston said: “SAGE was one of the first elite publishers to partner with Publons and commit to changing the way we approach and recognise the critical role of peer review in scholarly communication. We’re thrilled to not only expand our offering to more SAGE reviewers but also to continue working with an industry leader to keep innovating in peer review.”

Tessa Picknett, SAGE's executive director of STM, said: “We continually work with the research community to address their challenges and look at new, forward thinking ways of supporting and engaging with peer review to best support their needs. Publons’ approach has always been refreshing, and we are delighted to be working with the team on this exciting initiative, supporting reviewers and ensuring verified recognition for their contributions.”