Peer review is essential to ensuring the standards and legitimacy of scientific research.1 For those who have recently begun their careers as researchers, gaining experience while building confidence as a competent peer reviewer can be a challenging and overwhelming prospect. Thus, the International Society for Physical Activity & Health (ISPAH) and the Journal of Physical Activity & Health (JPAH) created the Bill Kohl Peer Review Academy—a mentor-driven program designed to elevate the skills for scientific manuscript peer review among early career researchers.
Graduates of the Academy will become more proficient at peer review through hands-on experience with manuscripts submitted to JPAH. Working in a one-on-one partnership with a mentor who has considerable experience as a peer reviewer, Academy participants will be trained in deliberating the ethical, scientific, and practical considerations of peer review. This will include learning how to properly consider a peer-review invitation, evaluating the scientific merit of a manuscript, and writing a constructive reviewer’s report. It is anticipated that Academy graduates will value and subsequently share these skills with colleagues.
Participants will be matched with a senior peer-review mentor with aligned research interests and, over the course of a one-year period, will work with the mentor to review at least two manuscripts submitted to JPAH. Academy participants who successfully complete the program will be formally recognized on the ISPAH and JPAH websites as Peer Review Academy Graduates, as well as being celebrated on ISPAH and JPAH social media accounts and honored at the next ISPAH Congress.
“Quality peer review is one of many things that isn’t taught routinely in graduate school,” said JPAH Editor Emeritus and ISPAH Fellow Harold W. (Bill) Kohl. “This Peer Review Academy is a fantastic opportunity for early career researchers who desire additional training as peer reviewers. We encourage those who are eager to participate as peer reviewers but have had insufficient experience to consider this educational opportunity.”
“Building capacity in the next generation of researchers is a key part of ISPAH’s mission and a focus of our Early Career Network,” said ISPAH President Karen Milton. “This Academy will provide meaningful training that will develop the next generation of peer reviewers and improve the research being published by a global community of scholars.”
Academy participants should be recent PhD graduates (within four years) or nearing completion of their PhD in a physical activity-related field, and active researchers. Prior experience as a peer reviewer for JPAH or other journals is not required. Prior experience as a published author in JPAH or similar journals is beneficial. Although ISPAH membership is not required for application, all selected Academy participants must be active ISPAH members during their time in the program. Membership discounts are available for students and professionals from low- and middle-income countries in accordance with World Bank classifications.
Participants must be able to commit to 12 months of training and be available to consistently and effectively engage with their mentor and JPAH Editors to complete the peer review process for a minimum of two manuscripts as a peer reviewer for JPAH. Early career researchers from all cultures, countries, and climates are encouraged to apply. Participation will be limited to six Academy participants during the first year of the program.
Participation in the Academy is an excellent educational opportunity to enhance and promote your professional profile. In addition to one-on-one mentoring and skill development as a peer reviewer, Academy participants will receive exclusive access to the members area of the ISPAH website, full access to publications in JPAH, priority booking onto ISPAH courses and exclusive webinars, and discounted registration at the biennial ISPAH Congress.
Completing the training is a great first step to additional engagement with JPAH’s Editorial Board and ISPAH’s various networks and councils. All participants who successfully complete Academy training will be formally recognised as a Bill Kohl Peer Review Academy Graduate, which can be noted on a CV.
Applicants should provide a CV and also write an Expression of Interest of no more than 500 words further detailing their research interests, peer review training and experience, and reasons for wanting to join the Academy. Prior experience as a JPAH author, reviewer, or reader, and as an ISPAH member or Congress participant, should be noted. Applicants must provide the name and email address of a supporter who may be asked to provide a brief Letter of Support. Applicants should ensure that their nominated supporter is aware of their application. A Letter of Support is not required as part of the initial application process.
On January 7, 2024, Harold W. (Bill) Kohl III passed away. Professor Kohl was JPAH Editor Emeritus (2007-2011), founder and Past-president of ISPAH (2010-2014), and a highly cited researcher who helped to define physical inactivity as a global pandemic through his work with the initial Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group.
His research focused on national and international physical activity surveillance and epidemiology, as well as program development and evaluation studies for the promotion of school-based physical activity for children and adolescents. He was also the co-author of the textbooks Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health and Foundations of Kinesiology. Moreover, Bill Kohl was co-founder of this Peer Review Academy, which launched after his passing.
We recognize Bill’s passion for mentoring the next generation and the importance he placed on teaching peer review skills through the naming of the Academy in his honor.
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