Sense about science
Since 2006, Elsevier has partnered with Sense About Science (SAS), an independent charitable trust, championing evidence, scientific reasoning and a public discussion of scientific issues. For the past six years this unique program of events and publications has worked to promote an understanding of peer review among journalists, policymakers and the public as well as to engage and inspire early career researchers to stand up for science in public debates around the world.
The work on peer review has reached hundreds of thousands – from new authors to journalists, policymakers and students – through debates, publications, and an international peer review survey of 4,000 researchers in 2009. Colleagues across Elsevier have been involved in Sense About Science’s outreach projects. Through collaboration on many of these activities, we continue to make clear Elsevier’s commitment to quality research and peer review internationally. Learn more about the 2009 Sense About Science Peer Review Survey.
Watch the video of Voice of Young Science debate
Engaging Early Career Researchers
In 2010, SAS’ growing Voice of Young Science (VoYS) network attracted over 700 early career researchers to 16 workshops across 7 countries, a programme that has been partnered by Elsevier and over 30 learned societies and institutions around the world. The VoYS ethos of standing up for science, pursued through myth busting publications and promoting scientific scrutiny and peer review, receives a lot of media attention, which has helped it become a network with its own momentum, attracting new members every day.
Elsevier also contributed to engaging panel sessions for early career researchers at science events in the US and Europe, including two of the most successful events of the European Science Open Forum in Turin in 2010.
Is science reported responsibly?
Young researchers debate journalists and editors at the 2010 Cambridge Science Festival. Read more
Tracey Brown
Managing Director,
Sense About Science
Areas of expertiseCommissioner for the UK Drugs Policy Commission. Sits on the Outreach Committee of the Royal College of Pathologists.
Read Tracey Brown’s “Fact-finding Mission to China Provides Key Insights”, Editors Update, Issue 22 September 2011 to learn more about her fact-finding mission on the integration and collaboration of Chinese authors and reviewers in international STM publishing.
