Peer review is the bedrock of scientific publishing. It’s the essential process that ensures research is rigorous, ethical, and trustworthy before it reaches the wider world. While this process is often unseen, it’s driven by the dedication and hard work of thousands of volunteers.
During Peer Review Week 2025, we’re taking a moment to celebrate our incredible, real life, JMIR peer reviewers. They are at the heart of our mission to advance digital health research. We asked them to share their experiences and insights, and their reflections offer a powerful look into why they choose to give their time and expertise.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the peer review process is a rapidly evolving landscape, offering the promise of streamlined efficiency and increased objectivity. However, this exciting development also highlights several ethical considerations that reviewers should thoughtfully address and navigate. Most importantly, if a reviewer is considering using generative AI to help them with performing a peer review, first check journal policy on whether this is permissible and, if so, then how.
One of the most common themes we heard from our reviewers is how the process benefits them personally and professionally. Peer reviewing is not just about vetting others' work—it's a powerful tool for continuous learning.
Kelechi Elechi, a PhD candidate at UT Health San Antonio, shared that reviewing "keeps me abreast of the latest developments in my field, it also sharpens my analytical and critical thinking skills and also allows me to give back to the academic community."
James Waterson, a senior medical affairs manager with BD Medical, echoed this sentiment, explaining that it’s a big opportunity to give back, and it also "hones your analytical skills and makes your own publications better."
Reviewing manuscripts from around the globe gives reviewers a unique vantage point on emerging trends and cutting-edge research. Dr. Hosein Aghayan Golkashani, a clinician scientist at the Center for Sleep and Cognition at the National University of Singapore, noted that it helps him "stay current in this rapidly evolving space of digital health solutions and personalized medicine."
You Cheng, a research fellow at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, highlights the unique sense of fulfillment that comes with this contribution. "Peer reviewing gives me a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the quality of research that could shape the future of clinical practices and patient care," she said. She finds it personally fulfilling "knowing that my feedback might help refine studies that could one day impact dementia diagnosis or treatment. And that really adds a deep sense of purpose to the peer review process."
Peer review is a collaborative effort that connects researchers across disciplines and continents. It's a way to foster a stronger, more interconnected scientific community.
Dr. Debayan Podder of the Faculty of Community Medicine and Family Medicine in West Bengal, India, shared that JMIR Publications has provided him "a platform to engage with my fellow researchers who are working continuously who are working so efficiently in the field of public health and community medicine."
For Pratik Shingru, Clinical Trials Research Manager at Prenuvo, the experience has been about more than just reading papers. "I have met many other peer reviewers in the industry," he said. He feels that the process helps him "connect with other peers, like-minded people, and helps me get motivated toward doing more research in the future."
Beyond technical skills, the act of peer reviewing elevates a professional’s standing. Kelechi noted that by contributing, he has "strengthened my own CV, making it more competitive. When I apply for grants and other academic opportunities, my experience as a peer reviewer is often viewed as a testament to my expertise and commitment to the scientific community."
Ultimately, our reviewers find a profound sense of purpose in their work. They see themselves as guardians of quality and integrity in research.
James Waterson eloquently put it, saying, "I think it is the best system that we have for ensuring honesty in research and the highest quality."
Similarly, Pratik Shingru expressed a great amount of responsibility, feeling like "a torchbearer for the ethics in the publication space."
The act of providing constructive feedback and helping authors refine their work brings immense satisfaction. As Dr. Hosein Aghayan Golkashani explained, knowing that "you are contributing to something that is going to be impactful, that is going to potentially shape the future of digital health and personalized healthcare could be really meaningful at a personal level."
Peer review is an act of service, and the insights from our reviewers show it's also a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth. They are not just evaluating research—they are shaping it.
This Peer Review Week, we celebrate the dedication of our volunteer reviewers and invite you to join them. If you are a researcher in digital health, you too can benefit from a deeper understanding of your field, hone your analytical skills, and make a vital contribution to the scientific community.
Ready to give back and grow? Volunteer to peer review with JMIR today.