Refereeing a Journal: Can It Go On My CV?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around whether serving as a referee for a journal should be included on a CV, particularly for graduate students and early-career researchers. Participants explore the implications of this role in terms of professional recognition and its relevance when applying for jobs or fellowships.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about including refereeing experience on their CV, questioning if it is expected or noteworthy.
  • Another participant suggests that being a referee indicates recognition as an authority in a subject area and should be included on a CV.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that including refereeing experience demonstrates involvement in the scientific community, recommending a simple listing format.
  • Some participants mention the potential uniqueness of this experience among peers, suggesting it may enhance a CV.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that serving as a referee is a valuable experience that can be included on a CV, though there is some uncertainty about its necessity and how it is perceived in different contexts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the practice of refereeing may vary by journal, such as whether a paper is sent to one or multiple referees, which could influence the perceived significance of the role.

Who May Find This Useful

Graduate students, early-career researchers, and individuals involved in academic job applications may find this discussion relevant.

eri
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Last year I was asked to serve as a referee for a journal for the first time. When I was asked, my adviser (I'm a 4-ish year grad student) said something to the effect of 'you can put that on your CV'. Now I'm updating my CV, and I'm not sure if he was serious or not. I know we're supposed to be honored to ask to referee a paper - but is that something that could, or should, be mentioned when applying for a job or fellowship? If not on a CV, then how? Or is it simply expected that people will serve as a referee at some point, and doesn't need to be mentioned? Would it make a difference if the journal is in the habit of only sending a paper to one referee as opposed to several? Thanks for any input.
 
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eri said:
Last year I was asked to serve as a referee for a journal for the first time. When I was asked, my adviser (I'm a 4-ish year grad student) said something to the effect of 'you can put that on your CV'. Now I'm updating my CV, and I'm not sure if he was serious or not. I know we're supposed to be honored to ask to referee a paper - but is that something that could, or should, be mentioned when applying for a job or fellowship? If not on a CV, then how? Or is it simply expected that people will serve as a referee at some point, and doesn't need to be mentioned? Would it make a difference if the journal is in the habit of only sending a paper to one referee as opposed to several? Thanks for any input.

You definitely want to include this important information. It means that you are now a recognized authority on a particular subject area and can evaluate the work of others.

I became a referee via the same means as well. If you have a good supervisor/adviser, he/she will eventually try to get you to be a referee. It is one aspect of being a professional in your career.

Zz.
 
Definitely put it on your cv- it's evidence of involvement in the scientific community. You don't have to provide details, just a subsection "Reviewer", followed by a list of journals and years active..
 
Thanks guys - I'm glad I can put it on there; I think it's fairly unique among my peers.
 

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