8 posts
By Jack Nash
09 April 2026
Peer review is essential for ensuring research quality and scientific rigour; however, it has its shortcomings. Reviewer fatigue and a limited pool of reviewers selected by editors can undermine the sustainability of peer review and erode trust in the process. Overcoming these challenges requires new review methods, and co-reviewing is an effective approach that can be […]
By Jack Nash
18 February 2026
Traditional publishing models can create barriers for early career researchers, which can delay career progression. This includes lengthy review cycles that can limit opportunities for early career researchers to develop professional skills and experience with peer review, editorial collaboration, and scientific communication. Open research platforms, such as HRB Open Research, offer alternative pathways, providing practical […]
By Jack Nash
04 April 2024
We explore how co-reviewing can help to improve peer review and provide opportunities for researchers that are often overlooked in the process.
By Jack Nash
14 December 2023
On 2-3 November 2023, the inaugural National Open Research Festival was held by the National Open Research Forum (NORF) at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. Read some of the key takeaways from the Festival.
By Name Surname
30 May 2023
Navigating the publishing journey for the first time as a new author or early career researcher can be challenging, so we’ve rounded up six tips and tricks to help.
By Guest Author
16 March 2021
In this Q&A, Elaine Toomey, University of Limerick, and Ksenija Zečević, National University of Ireland/University of Ljubljana, discuss the complexities, covering the challenges and the opportunities to practising open science for early career researchers in health research in Ireland. Read on to learn about their findings of the views and experiences of ECRs, the first qualitative study to explore this, published in their Research Article on HRB Open Research. Toomey and Zečević share their recommendations for adequately preparing researchers for an open research environment early on in their careers.
By Jack Nash
24 April 2019
Early career researchers (ECRs) from a variety of health-related disciplines and backgrounds came together for an introductory workshop on Open Science on 11th and 12th April 2019 at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Elaine Toomey gives a summary of the two-day workshop.
By Jack Nash
28 September 2018
Our peer review model gives early career researchers the credit they deserve Co-reviewing is a useful way to learn about peer review, however, not all publishers credit junior researchers, so their hard work can often go unrecognised. We at HRB Open Research encourage supervisors to co-sign with junior researchers to not only provide a […]