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Our Pre-Publication Review of Outputs (PRO) is a process aimed at supporting researchers in maximising the quality of research outputs at early stages of development; supporting discussion and feedback around content, significance, publication venue, etc., in the context of the authors existing body of work and publication strategies.  

Most importantly, PRO embraces our principles of openness and collaboration by providing opportunities for researchers to discuss their ideas and publication choices with others, reflect on feedback received and use this learning for their own outputs and to support others through feedback they provide.  

Guidance

PRO is a formal system to facilitate and record early feedback and reflection for selected outputs at early stages of development (typically, first completed draft). PRO is led, developed and implemented by Research Divisions, thereby ensuring that the system is tailored to the different disciplines and that it addresses the needs of each Division.

PRO is underpinned by researchers’ portfolios of work, publication strategies and research plans. While PRO can be particularly helpful to support the development of early career researchers, opportunities for feedback can also support researchers at all career stages.

PRO aims to:

• Provide support and feedback to all researchers for the development of high-quality outputs in a systematic way.
• Supporting researchers in the planning and refining of medium-term individual publication strategies.
• Support, and where necessary, improve quality of feedback and mentoring in Divisions.
• Grow awareness and application of open research principles, research metrics and indicators, and evaluation criteria (including REF).
• Contribute to an open and collaborative research culture.
• Support the development and/or application of skills related to feedback, mentoring and critical review of own and other’s work.
  
  

Overview

The PRO process involves researchers regularly reviewing their individual portfolio of planned outputs and targeted venues for publication. Working together with their RDLs, researchers should to identify individual outputs for which feedback, support and/or mentoring at early stages of development (typically, first completed draft) can be of benefit to improve output quality and bring out the work’s significance and contribution to the disciplines. These discussions should also consider contents of planned outputs and venues for publication. Ideally, at least one output should be put through the process on an annual basis.

Working in consultation with Research Division members, RDLs will put in place review and feedback mechanisms that are appropriate for the Division, its disciplines and its members. Local guidance should be available to ensure that all Division members are aware of feedback mechanisms and support available in the Division.

A PRO recording tool is available for researchers to record basic information about the output in development. The data in the tool will help researchers reflect on the process, feedback and changes, whilst supporting the RDL in reviewing and adapting PRO so that it meets the needs of the Division.

The process is a requirement for early career researchers, and is strongly recommended for selected outputs authored by researchers at all stages of their careers. Those colleagues on Research Only Grade 6, opt-in Teaching Intensive and other opt-in Research Division members who undertake PRP can also participate in PRO.

The following sections provides an overview of PRO. This should be read in conjunction with Research Division guidance.  

How Does PRO Work?

Selecting outputs for PRO

The Personal Research Planning process asks researchers to reflect on their outputs profile, how they envisage it to evolve over the next five years, what is their publication strategy for outputs under development. Taking these into account, during the Personal Research Planning meeting, researchers and RDL should agree on 1 or 2 outputs in development which are considered a priority and potential candidates for submission to the REF 2029, and for which feedback, and support where required, can impact on the output/s significance and quality.

The RDL and researcher should also agree on a feedback mechanism to be used from those available to the Division as part of the PRO local implementation. The researcher and RDL should also discuss whether any other support might be of benefit.

Recording outputs for PRO

Once the RDL and researcher have agreed on the output/s to be put through PRO, the researcher should input basic information in the . This will include expected dates where the draft will be available for review, information on targeted publisher/venues and expected timings for submission, together with details of feedback mechanism and additional support.

For Divisions where additional supporting documentation is requested as part of local implementation (for example, draft 300-word statements for multicomponent outputs, or updates on long form outputs plans, or any other as decided by each Division), this can also be uploaded at this point.

You can  and view and download guidance.

Receiving feedback

The early draft of the output should be made available for feedback as determined by local processes. The researcher should review the feedback received and consider what changes (if any) they may want to make to the output in response to the feedback received.

Updating the PRO output information

Once feedback is received and the researcher has had an opportunity to reflect, researchers are asked to update information in the PRO Recording Tool – Part 2. This section will enable researchers to update information on targeted publication outlets, expected publication timelines, etc. This section also provides opportunity for researchers to comment on the feedback and support received.