Peer Reviewing in Natural- and Life Sciences: From Submission to Retraction

16 & 23 May 2025

Debora Zoia, CUSO MPS coordinator
Corinne Dentan, CUSO StarOmics coordinator
Emilie Genty, CUSO Microbiology coordinator

Dr. Markus Geisler, UNIFR

The ability to review research articles should be a core skill of every research scientist. With the growing number of manuscripts being submitted to scientific journals, editors are increasingly reliant on independent experts who can deliver fair and high-quality reviews in a timely fashion. In this intensive two days' workshop, PhD Students will be given a detailed insight into the scholar peer-reviewing processes. Participants will learn how the peer-review process works, from submission to publication (and retraction). Practical issues (like benefits, requirements and time lines) are discussed and submission and reviewing is trained in practical exercises. Moreover, recent problems and developments in peer reviewing are highlighted.

Objectives:
Participants will learn...

- How the (Scholary) Peer-Review process works: from submission to publication (and retraction)
- Details about Theory, definitions, history, problems
- Review styles: pre-publication review vs. post-publication review
- Recent developments in (Scholary) Peer Review: improvement and criticism
- How to become/recruit a reviewer?
- What editors expect from a reviewer: criteria against which scientific articles should be evaluated
- The requirement for objective, constructive and balanced comments that will assist both the editor and the author(s)
- The amount of time necessary for reviewing/editing a paper
- About Benefits
- About Integrity of a review
- About Reasons for rejections, experience from rejections
- About Retractions

University of Fribourg, Room TBA

This course is organized in collaboration with the CUSO doctoral programs in Microbial Sciences and Molecular Plant Sciences.

Reimbursements for CUSO Students: Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.

Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO.

CUSO StarOmics Students: for any question concerning reimbursement please contact the CUSO StarOmics coordinator Corinne Dentan

Other CUSO Students: please contact the coordinator of your Program

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Deadline for registration: TBA

20 places available for CUSO students (5 StarOmics, 5 Microbiology, 10 MPS)

For cancellations after the deadline of registration or no show: 50 CHF administrative fees

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