Peer pressure: Does peer review help or hinder science reporting?

F1000 and Taylor & Francis, in association with the Association of British Science Writers, brought together an expert panel of researchers, publishers, press officers, and journalists to explore the relationship between peer review and science reporting as part of our Open Thinking program’s contribution to Peer Review Week 2022. Taking a cue from the Peer Review Week theme of research integrity, the panel explored how researchers, publishers, press officers, and journalists ensure that sound science is reported to the public.

Our panel brought insights and perspectives from every phase of research communication, from research paper to headline, placing emphasis on the importance of trust at every stage. The result was an insightful discussion on the challenges and opportunities that peer review and science reporting pose, and an important basis for further constructive discussion.

Panelists:

· Jodie Bell, Senior Press & Media Relations Manager, Taylor & Francis

· Boyana Konforti, Director of Strategic Initiatives, F1000

· Parth Patel, Senior Research Fellow, IPPR; media commentator; Wellcome Open Research author

· Rachael Pells, freelance journalist in science and research (Times, Nature, Wired, iPaper)

· Tom Sheldon, Senior Press Manager, Science Media Centre

· Richard Van Noorden, Features Editor, Nature

· The Chair of the panel Martin Wilson, Head of Content, Taylor & Francis; former Head of Product, BBC Digital Creativity