Editors’ Vox is a blog from AGU’s Publications Department.
Today, in Eos, American Geophysical Union (AGU) Publications again recognizes a number of outstanding reviewers for their work in 2023, as selected by the editors of each journal.
Peer review ensures that we encourage clear communication and maintain the highest integrity in our scientific publications.
Peer review is an essential step in both the communication and progress of science. While there have never been more ways to share ideas and research, a healthy system of peer review ensures that we encourage clear communication and maintain the highest integrity in our scientific publications. At AGU, the peer review process is conducted by our scientific colleagues, starting with the journal editors. However, it is reviewers who take time away from their own research to volunteer their time and expertise to inform article publication decisions. The work of these colleagues ensures the appropriate consideration and evaluation of thousands of articles each year. We are thankful for their efforts to make all of our science stronger.
As advancements in the Earth and space sciences grow, so too does the complexity of the science and the papers that communicate their new discoveries. Peer reviewers bring their expertise to evaluate work conducted by teams of authors large and small, utilizing more and new techniques, and insights gleaned from studies, data, and simulations that increase in scale and scope each year. As a result, both the value and challenge of peer reviewing has grown too. Our science benefits because our community rises up to support the opportunities afforded by the discoveries and solutions reported in AGU journals by providing thoughtful and insightful feedback through peer review.
The outstanding reviewers listed here have provided in-depth, valuable, and timely evaluations, often through multiple revisions, and multiple manuscripts, that have led to clearer and greatly improved final published papers. Their contributions helped raise the quality of submissions received from around the world, providing valuable feedback that makes for better scientific discourse.
Many Reviewers: A Key Part of AGU Journals
While we recognize these few outstanding reviewers, we also must acknowledge the broad efforts by the many reviewers in helping ensure the quality, timeliness, and reputation of AGU journals. We also welcome new and first-time reviewers that have joined the family of integrity stewards and have been providing authors with valuable evaluations. In 2023, AGU received over 17,000 submissions, which was a slight increase on 2022, and published 6,858 papers. Most submissions were reviewed multiple times—in all, 19,075 reviewers completed 36,463 reviews in 2023.
The past several years have continued to be a rollercoaster for researchers, editors, and peer reviewers. The challenges of maintaining the peer review system remain at an all-time high. Volunteer reviewers in Europe and the United States can’t keep up with the invitations they receive, while research output in China is now the highest of any country. While we continue to make progress, our journals struggle to invite a proportional number of reviewers in China despite the evidence of a large population of highly qualified and willing volunteers. Likewise, early career researchers observe some of their more senior colleagues being overburdened by invitations and wonder why they receive few invitations themselves.
Reviewers play a central role in the rapid feedback and publishing of new science that is at the heart of advancing the Earth and space sciences.
Amidst these challenges, each AGU journal worked to shorten the time from submission to first decision and publication or consistently maintained industry-leading standards. Reviewers play a central role in the rapid feedback and publishing of new science that is at the heart of advancing the Earth and space sciences.
Editorials in each journal express our appreciation along with recognition lists. Our thanks are a small recognition of the large responsibility that reviewers bear in improving our science and its role in society.
Additional Thanks
In addition, we are working to highlight the valuable role of reviewers through events at AGU’s Annual Meeting and other meetings.
We will continue to work with the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) network to provide official recognition of reviewers’ efforts, so that reviewers receive formal credit there. As of 16 May 2024, we have over 100,000 ORCIDs up from 91,000 ORCIDs one year ago.
Getting Your Feedback
We value your feedback, including ideas about how we can recognize your efforts even more, improve your experience, and increase your input on the science. Feel free to send your comments to publications@agu.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Once again: Thanks to our Outstanding Reviewers of 2023!
—Matt Giampoala (mgiampoala@agu.org, 
0000-0002-0208-2738), Vice President, Publications, American Geophysical Union; and Steven A. Hauck II (0000-0001-8245-146X), Chair, AGU Publications Committee
