Choosing External Reviewers Does it Matter? One man’s opinion.

Choosing External ReviewersDoes it Matter?

One man’s opinion

What is the process?

What is the process?

• YOU choose some names

What is the process?

• YOU choose some names

• CHAIR or COMMITTEE chooses some names

What is the process?

• YOU choose some names

• CHAIR or COMMITTEE chooses some names

• Six individuals are solicited

Who should you choose?

Who should you choose?

• Someone

Who should you choose?

• Someone

• Someone who is not a relative

Who should you choose?

• Someone

• Someone who is not a relative

• Someone who knows your work

Who should you choose?

• Someone

• Someone who is not a relative

• Someone who knows your work

• Someone who thinks highly of your work

Who should you choose?

• Someone

• Someone who is not a relative

• Someone who knows your work

• Someone who thinks highly of your work

• Someone who is important

Who should you choose?

• Someone

• Someone who is not a relative

• Someone who knows your work

• Someone who thinks highly of your work

• Someone who is important

• Someone who works at a place where your Department would aspire to be

Personal Example

Personal Example

• I went up for Full Professor in 1996. I am trained as an exercise physiologist, and my research focuses on physical activity during pregnancy, and pediatric exercise issues. I also have a 25% appointment in the medical schools

• Looking for a balanced scorecard

Reviewers

• Professor and Chair, Department of Kinesiology at the University of Florida

• Professor and Chair, Department of Kinesiology at Texas A+M University

• Both in top 5 exercise physiologists in US

• Both were still active

• I knew them both professionally, but only limited collaboration, very early in my career

• Neither did exactly what I did, but both knew how I had progressed in my profession, and the value of my research foci

More Reviewers

• Professor of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Professor of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts

• Both individuals do work in the pediatric area, one also works in pregnancy and physical activity

• Very little direct collaboration other than joint seminars and review papers.

• Very well-suited to discuss the quality of my work.

Reviewer

• Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Louis University School of Medicine

• This is one of the leaders in exercise during pregnancy, particularly from a medical perspective. One of the major players.

• Limited direct collaboration, other than being on a seminar together

Reviewer

• Professor and Chair, Department of Kinesiology, University of Exeter (UK)

• This reviewer does work in pediatrics, and knows my work. Ranked as one of the top 2-3 pediatric exercise researchers internationally

• Able to speak to my international reputation

Any Questions?