Important step towards a fairer & more transparent peer review ecosystem

The problems of research reproducibility, recognition of reviewers and the rising burden of the review process, as research volumes increase each year, have led to a challenging landscape for scholarly communications.

In its initial phase, this initiative aims to look at practical solutions that leverage the distributed registry and smart contract elements of blockchain technologies. Later phases aim to establish a consortium of organisations committed to working together to solve scholarly communications challenges that centre around peer review.

We’d like to hear from more partners who want to get involved

Digital Science will manage the project and we’re looking forward to coordinating with further partners who wish to become involved. Katalysis will use its market-leading expertise in blockchain technologies to implement the test platform. Springer Nature will participate with a selection of its journals and give key input around publisher and peer review workflows, and ORCID will provide insights and knowhow around personal identifiers and authentication.

Joris van Rossum, Director of Special Projects at Digital Science and Project Lead, commented:

“Peer review is a crucial part of scholarly communication and the unique characteristics of blockchain technology hold great promise to solve so many of the challenges we see today. With ORCID, and founding partner Springer Nature, this initiative is already an opportunity to make a significant change. I encourage other organisations to contact me if they wish to participate.”

Martijn Roelandse, Head of Publishing Innovation at Springer Nature, said:

“Researchers are increasingly required to provide a widening overview of their research-related activities to funders and universities. This new blockchain initiative will help quantify the value of peer review in scholarly communications and empower researchers with greater visibility of their efforts.”

Eveline Klumpers, co-founder Katalysis, comments:

“Blockchain technology unlocks a far-reaching new form of engagement between parties which cannot seek such collaborations due to competing business interests. Springer Nature and ORCID are making an important step forward towards a fairer and more transparent ecosystem for peer review, pioneering a path for new ways to conduct business in the academic industry. As technology partner, Katalysis is delighted to make this initiative a reality.”

Laure Haak, Executive Director of ORCID comments:

“ORCID is excited to be included in the initiative. We are interested in increasing the transparency of peer review, and also in exploring the utility of decentralized data stores in supporting trusted assertions that connect researchers to their activities.”

If you are interested in getting involved or would like to find out more please contact Joris van Rossum, Director of Special Projects at Digital Science, on j.vanrossum@digital-science.com  or visit www.blockchainpeerreview.org

The post Get Involved in Our Initiative to Explore Blockchain Technologies for Peer Review appeared first on Digital Science.

In support of this new technology, Digital Science is offering a special Catalyst Grant of up to $30,000 / £25,000 specifically aimed at Blockchain technologies in the scholarly arena. *

Today, we have released a landmark report titled: Blockchain for Research – Perspectives on a New Paradigm for Scholarly Communication. The report offers a perspective on blockchain technology and how it could impact scholarly communication and research. It also features views from global industry experts on how future technologies in the scholarly arena will be impacted by blockchain technology.

In support of this new technology, Digital Science is offering a special Catalyst Grant of up to $30,000 / £25,000 specifically aimed at blockchain technologies in the scholarly arena.

Blockchain is a revolutionary technology that has the promise to radically change many industries. This report zooms in on its potential to transform scholarly communication and research, focusing on important initiatives in this field. The report highlights how blockchain technology can touch many critical aspects of scholarly communication, such as transparency, open science, and reproducibility.

The report includes:

• An introduction into “What is blockchain technology?”
• A discussion around the challenges in scholarly communication including  the reproducibility crisis, correctly assigning credit and the peer review process.
• Thoughts on how blockchain technology can be applied to certain activities such as managing research and data, disseminating content, offering new metrics and supporting alternative economic models.
• Latest examples and initiatives of how blockchain technology is currently being utilised in the scholarly arena.
• A look to the future of blockchain technology for scholarly communication & research.

The report, written and produced by Dr. Joris van Rossum, includes interviews with industry experts including:

• Soenke Bartling, a German radiologist and founder of Blockchain for Science,
• Eefke Smit, Director, Standards and Technology, International Association of STM Publishers.
• Dr. Philipp Sandner is Head of the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

Joris Van Rossum, Digital Science’s Director of Special Projects says:

“Blockchain technology has the opportunity to positively impact scholarly practices and for example could even change the role publishers play in the scholarly ecosystem. The potential extends to solving urgent crises in scholarly communication, such as around costs, trust, and universal accessibility to scientific information. This report for the first time digs deep into this promise with a look towards the future.”

Eefke Smit, International Association of STM Publishers, Director, Standards and Technology, said:

“The STM publishing world is suffering its own set of trust issues at present. But even with its imperfections, the current system of academic publishing is strong and offers an efficient infrastructure. However, I could see current players adopting and creating bits of blockchain infrastructure where they can really make a differences. For the publishing world, blockchain technology is full of promises and for the first time this report collates a collection of insights into how this technology may overhaul the industry.”  

You can download the report on Figshare and follow the online conversations using #blockchainforresearch.

* Catalyst Grant for the Blockchain

At Digital Science we help nurture innovative research software ideas with our prestigious Catalyst Grant programme that we run twice a year. To celebrate the launch of our report, we are offering a unique Catalyst Grant of up to $30,000 / £25,000 aimed specifically at blockchain technology.

We are accepting proposals for implementing any blockchain technology in a research context, especially where it concerns the dissemination or publication of research. Applications could fall into any of the following categories:

– New cryptocurrencies or protocols
– Applications built on existing cryptocurrencies or protocols
– How existing applications can be developed or adapted
– Working groups or entities looking to influence the implementation of blockchain technology
 

Deadline for applications is Monday 15th January 2018

The post Digital Science Report Reveals Potential Behind Blockchain Technology for Scholarly Communication and Research #blockchainforresearch appeared first on Digital Science.

Join us in London on the evening of Tuesday 28th November for a panel discussion and networking focusing on the potential of blockchain technology for scholarly communication and research.

Hear from a panel of experts including:

• Soenke Bartling
• Eefke Smit
• Joris van Rossum
• Mark Hahnel (moderator)
• Eveline Klumpers

Blockchain is a revolutionary technology with the potential to fundamentally change industry including the publishing industry. Join us to discuss this potential with a look to the future.

Wine, beer and pizza will all be provided! Sign up fast to avoid disappointment.

Follow #blockchainforresearch for updates.

The post Digital Science Presents Blockchain for Scholarly Communication & Research #blockchainforresearch appeared first on Digital Science.