# How to get involved See [#in-a-nutshell](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/readme-1/..#in-a-nutshell "mention") for an overview of *The Unjournal.* {% hint style="info" %} **In brief (TLDR):**\ If you are interested in being on *The* *Unjournal*'s management committee, advisory board, or evaluator pool, please fill out [this form](https://bit.ly/ujteam) (about 3–5 min). If you have research you would like us to assess, please fill out [this form](https://bit.ly/UJsuggest). You can also submit your own work [here](https://bit.ly/UJsubmit), or by contacting [contact@unjournal.org](https://app.gitbook.com/u/Kb2a1KdsgsTOM7ZYPPCIyGkho3Q2). \ \&#xNAN;*Please note that while data submitted through the above forms may be shared internally within our Management Team, it will not be publicly disclosed. Data protection statement linked* [*here*](https://bit.ly/46y0LqH)*.* {% endhint %} ## Overview and call I am [David Reinstein](https://www.davidreinstein.org/), founder and co-director[^1] of *The Unjournal*. We have an open call for committee members, board members, reviewers, and suggestions for relevant work for *The Unjournal* to evaluate. *The Unjournal* [team](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/archived-the-unjournal-project/readme-1/discussion-team) is building a system for credible, public, journal-independent feedback and evaluation of research.
Briefly, The Unjournal’s process (summarized again) is: * Identify, invite, or select contributions of relevant research *that* [*is publicly hosted*](#user-content-fn-2)[^2] on any open platform or archive in any format. * Pay evaluators to give careful feedback on this work, with prizes and incentives for strong evaluation work. * Elicit quantifiable and comparable metrics of research quality as credible measures of value (see: [evaluator guidelines](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/policies-projects-evaluation-workflow/evaluation/guidelines-for-evaluators)). Synthesize the results of these evaluations in useful ways. * Publicly post and link all reviews of the work. Award financial prizes for the work judged strongest. * Allow *evaluators* to choose if they wish to remain anonymous or to "sign" their reviews. * Aim to be as transparent as possible in these processes.
We maintain an **open call for participants** for four different roles: 1. [**Management Committee members**](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/organizational-roles-and-responsibilities#management-committee-members) (involving honorariums for time spent) 2. [**Advisory Board**](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/organizational-roles-and-responsibilities#advisory-board-members-abm) members (no time commitment) 3. [**Field Specialists**](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/organizational-roles-and-responsibilities#field-specialists-fs) (who will often also be on the Advisory Board) 4. A pool of **Evaluators** (who will be paid for their time and their work; we also draw evaluators from outside this pool) [The roles are explained in more detail here.](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/readme-1/organizational-roles-and-responsibilities) You can express your interest (and enter our database) [here](https://bit.ly/ujteam).
Some particular research area/field priorities (15 Aug 2023) We're interested in researchers and research-users who want to help us prioritize work for evaluation, and manage evaluations, considering ... research in any social science/economics/policy/impact-assessment area, and ... research with the potential to be among the most globally-impactful. Some particular areas where we are hoping to expand our expertise (as of 15 Aug 2023) include: \- Biological & pandemic risk \- AI governance, AI safety \- Animal welfare, markets for animal products \- Long-term trends, demography \- Macroeconomics/growth/(public) finance \- Quantitative political science (voting, lobbying, etc.) \- Social impact of new technology (including AI)
## **Evaluators** We will reach out to evaluators (a.k.a. "reviewers") on a case-by-case basis, appropriate for each paper or project being assessed. This is dependent on expertise, the researcher's interest, and a lack of conflict of interest. **Time commitment**: Case-by-case basis. For each evaluation, [here are some guidelines](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/policies-projects-evaluation-workflow/evaluation/guidelines-for-evaluators#length-and-time-possible-benchmarks) for the amount of time to spend. **Compensation**: We pay a minimum of $200 (updated Aug. 2024) for a prompt and complete evaluation, $400 for *experienced* evaluators. We offer additional prizes and incentives, and are committed to an average compensation of at least $450 per evaluator. [See here for more details](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/policies-projects-evaluation-workflow/evaluation/for-prospective-evaluators). **Who we are looking for:** We are putting together a list of people interested in being an evaluator and doing paid referee work for *The Unjournal*. We generally prioritize the pool of evaluators who signed up for our database before reaching out more widely. *Interested? Please fill out* [*this form*](https://airtable.com/shrtMv4hNlv8aL7Yy) *(about 3–5 min, same form for all roles or involvement).* ## **Projects and papers** We are looking for high-quality, globally pivotal research projects to evaluate, particularly those embodying open science practices and innovative formats. We are putting out a call for relevant research. Please suggest research [here](https://airtable.com/applDG6ifmUmeEJ7j/shrAsvmrx05PDHfdw). (We offer bounties and prizes for useful suggestions – [see note](#user-content-fn-3)[^3].) For details of what we are looking for, and some potential examples, [see this post](https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/kftzYdmZf4nj2ExN7/what-pivotal-and-useful-research-would-you-like-to-see) and accompanying links. You can also [put forward your own work](https://airtable.com/applDG6ifmUmeEJ7j/shrcN2cwsXpmnkOL1). We provide a separate form for research suggestions[ here](https://airtable.com/applDG6ifmUmeEJ7j/shrAsvmrx05PDHfdw). We may follow up with you individually. ## Contact us If you are interested in discussing any of the above in person, please email us ([contact@unjournal.org](https://app.gitbook.com/u/Kb2a1KdsgsTOM7ZYPPCIyGkho3Q2)) to arrange a conversation. We invite you to fill in [this form ](https://airtable.com/appbPYEw9nURln7Qg/shrtMv4hNlv8aL7Yy)to leave your contact information, as well as outlining which parts of the project you may be interested in. *Note*: This is under continual refinement; see our [policies](https://globalimpact.gitbook.io/the-unjournal-project-and-communication-space/~/changes/531/policies-projects-evaluation-workflow) for more details. [^1]: Along with Gavin Taylor. [^2]: We can help arrange hosting and help you get a time-stamped DOI. [^3]: Update July 2023: these prizes are not currently active, but we aim to launch this again soon; all suggestors will be eligible for prizes retroactively.