Abstract: Peer-review is integral to the scientific process, serving as a crucial step in ensuring the rigor of published research. However, the traditional system faces challenges such as redundant reviews and competition for a limited pool of reviewers, leading to delayed publications. To address these issues, EMBO launched Review Commons, a platform dedicated to the peer-review of preprints (https://www.reviewcommons.org/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Review Commons).

 

Review Commons operates a “journal-agnostic” peer-review, encouraging reviewers to focus on the scientific content rather than journal-specific criteria. Reviews from Review Commons, along with authors’ response can be swiftly posted on bioRxiv and medRxiv alongside the original preprint, creating a “Reviewed Preprint” (preprint + reviews + authors’ response). These Reviewed Preprints can then be seamlessly transferred to a network of 28 affiliated journals, which consider the paper based on the original reviews avoiding the need to restart the peer-review process. If rejected by one journal, the Reviewed Preprint can be submitted to another journal without delays. Our consortium includes different publishers such as EMBO Press, the Company of Biologists, eLife, PLOS, Rockefeller University Press, CSHL Press, FEBS Press and many others, representing a variety of research communities.

 

Reviewed Preprints have the potential to transform scientific publishing by promoting open science while maintaining scientific rigor. Recently, EMBO updated the eligibility criterion for its fellowship and grant applications to include Reviewed Preprints as recognised scientific outputs, setting an important precedent for other organizations. A broader recognition of Reviewed Preprints by funders and institutions holds the potential to alleviate the pressure of the traditional “publish or perish” culture and support scientists’ career advancement.

 

Short Biography Sara Monaco is the Managing Editor of Review Commons at EMBO, Heidelberg. Originally from Italy, she studied Biotechnology at the University of Naples, where she also completed her PhD in Molecular Oncology. Following a collaborative research stint at Duke University in the United States, Sara moved to Germany for a postdoctoral position at Heidelberg University, where she worked for 10 years at the Neurobiology institute. In 2020, she transitioned from research to scientific publishing, joining EMBO as the first Managing Editor of Review Commons.