In a Nutshell
The Unjournal is an independent, nonprofit organization that coordinates expert public evaluation of research papers and projects. We publish evaluations, quantitative ratings, and author responses openly—creating transparent credibility signals for funders, policymakers, and other researchers.
We specifically target quantitative work that informs global priorities in economics, social science, and policy. Unlike traditional journals, researchers can submit work to us while simultaneously pursuing traditional publication. We charge no fees and compensate evaluators for their time.
What We Do
Commission Evaluations
We identify and select high-impact research, then engage qualified experts to provide rigorous, detailed assessments.
Quantitative Ratings
Evaluators provide ratings across multiple dimensions: overall quality, methods, relevance, and communication—with confidence bounds.
Publish Everything
Evaluations, ratings, and author responses are published on PubPub with DOIs, indexed in scholarly databases.
How We're Different
Not a journal. Something better.
Non-exclusive: Submit to us and traditional journals simultaneously
No formatting: We evaluate research, not document styling
Paid evaluators: $300+ per evaluation, plus prizes for quality work
Public transparency: Evaluations visible to all, not hidden in inboxes
Quantitative ratings: Nuanced signals beyond binary accept/reject
Author responses: Public dialogue, not private revision cycles
No fees: 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funded by grants
Impact focus: We prioritize real-world relevance over novelty
Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Unjournal is funded by organizations including the Effective Altruism Infrastructure Fund and Long-Term Future Fund. We charge no submission fees. All compensation to evaluators and prizes for quality work come from grants.
Research Areas
We focus on quantitative research informing global priorities, especially in these areas:
We're particularly interested in research that could inform high-stakes decisions by funders, policymakers, and organizations working on pressing global challenges. See our prioritization guidelines for more detail.
Get Involved
The Unjournal welcomes contributions from researchers, evaluators, and anyone passionate about improving how research is assessed.
Explore Our Work
See our evaluations, browse the data, and learn more about how we're changing research assessment.
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