Why Evaluate for The Unjournal?
Unlike traditional journals where peer review is unpaid, anonymous, and invisible, The Unjournal compensates evaluators, publishes their work openly, and gives them proper academic credit.
Paid Work
We compensate evaluators for their expertise—averaging $450 per evaluation including base pay and incentives.
Published & Citable
Your evaluation receives a DOI and is published on PubPub. Real scholarly credit for review work.
Prize Opportunities
Exceptional evaluations are eligible for our annual prizes—$6,500 awarded in 2024-25.
Signed or Anonymous
Choose whether to sign your evaluation publicly or remain anonymous. Your choice, every time.
Flexible Timeline
We work with your schedule. Most evaluations take 3-6 weeks, but we accommodate busy periods.
Impactful Research
Evaluate research that matters—work informing global health, development, policy, and effective interventions.
Compensation
Our compensation structure includes:
- Base payment: $300+ per evaluation (varies by scope and complexity)
- Incentive bonuses: Additional pay for thoroughness, timeliness, and quality
- Annual prizes: $6,500 in prizes for exceptional evaluations (2024-25)
How It Works
Join Our Pool
Complete a simple form with your expertise areas and background. We'll add you to our evaluator database.
Receive Invitations
When we have research matching your expertise, we'll reach out with details and timeline. You can accept or decline.
Conduct Your Evaluation
Review the research using our structured guidelines. Provide written feedback and quantitative ratings across multiple dimensions.
Publication & Payment
Your evaluation is published on PubPub with a DOI. Payment is processed promptly after submission.
Evaluation Forms
Our evaluation process uses structured forms to ensure consistency and thoroughness:
- Current form: Academic evaluation form (Coda) — the form evaluators currently use to submit evaluations
- Preview draft: Interactive evaluation form prototype — a draft of our planned interface improvements (not yet in use)
Who We're Looking For
We seek evaluators with expertise in quantitative research methods and relevant subject areas. Ideal candidates have:
Focus Areas
We particularly need evaluators with expertise in:
- Development economics and global health
- Environmental economics and climate policy
- Behavioral science and psychology
- AI governance and technology policy
- Animal welfare research
- Meta-science and research methods
- Catastrophic and existential risk
Join Our Evaluator Pool
Complete a short form to be added to our database. We'll reach out when we have research matching your expertise.
Apply to Evaluate Evaluator Guidelines