Reviewer Recognition and Rewards Program

Reviewers serve a vital role for Optica Publishing Group’s editors and the authors who submit to our journals. Our reviewers’ efforts and dedication allow us to bring high-quality research to the optics and photonics community. We are committed to ensuring that our reviewers are recognized and rewarded for the valuable contributions they bring to the growing body of scientific literature.

Optica Publishing Group’s comprehensive Reviewer Recognition Program acknowledges the countless hours served in reviewing more than 20,000 submissions annually to our journals. The primary appreciation efforts offered in the Reviewer Recognition Program and eligibility are outlined in the table below.

The Reviewer Rewards Program is a new initiative launching simultaneously with this new section for Reviewers on our website. All Optica Publishing Group reviewers now accumulate points for providing useful reviews and when becoming certified, and they will be able to redeem their points for special rewards. Read more about the Reviewer Rewards below.


Recognition EffortsEligibility
30-day Access to Optica Publishing GroupUpon request

Certificates

(Distributed the year after eligibility is met)

2+ reviews per year

Reviewer Lapel Pins

(Distributed upon request)

5+ reviews per year
Outstanding Reviewer RecognitionNominated by Optica Publishing Group’s Editorial Boards
Reviewer Rewards Program
      Individual Optica Membership (Free 1-Year/33% Discount on 3-Year)*50 points within 3 years
      APC or Optional Open Access Fee Discount50 points within 3 years

*Currently not applicable to the Student or Early Career membership categories.


Optica Publishing Group Senior Publisher, Kelly Cohen, with Outstanding Reviewer recipient, Prof. Alexander Kildishev


Reviewer Rewards

The Reviewer Rewards Program is the beginning of a wider Optica initiative to recognize volunteers for their support of our activities. Optica Publishing Group reviewers will earn points for reviews that are completed within the Prism peer review system, beginning July 2019. The Optica Publishing Group editor will assign up to 6 points for a review based on its degree of usefulness. Reviewers who provide detailed, constructive, tactful feedback in a timely manner will earn points more quickly than those who submit brief, vague, inappropriate statements. Reviewers will also have an opportunity to earn points upon completion of the new Reviewer Certification Course. Please refer to our new Reviewer Certification Course for tips on providing an effective review.

Reviewers will accumulate points over a rolling 3-year period. Once a reviewer accumulates 50 points, he/she can redeem them for a free 1-year Individual Optica Membership, a 33% discount on a 3-year Individual Optica membership, or for a $200 discount on the Article Processing Charge (APC) or Optional Open Access fee to the Optica Publishing Group-owned journal of choice. Authors have the option to use more of their reviewer points for a larger APC or Optional Open Access discount. Points can be redeemed in increments of 50 (e.g., 100 points for a $400 discount, 150 for a $600 discount, etc.). Currently membership discounts are not applicable to the Student or Early Career categories.

See Reviewer Rewards Program Rules.