Peer review myths busted

What is peer reviewing?

‘Peer review’ is the name given to a process of reading and giving feedback on papers that are submitted for publication in scholarly journals like the International Journal of Art Therapy (IJAT).

IJAT is the is the official journal of the British Association of Art Therapists and a leading publication of international art therapy literature. In 2024, articles published on the website were read and downloaded over 180,000 times by readers around the world.

We are proud to have a thriving peer review network for the journal which includes a diverse range of experienced art therapists and expert contributors from related fields.

Why peer review is important

Peer review is a really important part of making sure that articles appearing in IJAT – whether they are practice papers, research articles or opinion pieces – offer something interesting and useful for our community, based on robust evidence.

Being a peer reviewer basically means acting as a ‘critical friend’ by reading colleagues’ work and sharing a written opinion about both the content and the writing. Reviewers bring not only their professional expertise but also their lived experience to the task of giving feedback. By offering their comments on submissions to the journal, they help authors publish papers that improve our understanding of how art therapy supports people to live better.

Creating a diverse peer review network

We want IJAT’s peer review community to reflect the diversity of our readers and art therapy service users, so we are always keen to welcome new reviewers who could help authors make their writing even more accessible and welcoming.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, and following the murder of George Floyd, ten ‘actions for change’ were developed by IJAT’s board of editors and a team of expert consultants led by Corrina Eastwood, our inaugural advisor for equality, diversity and inclusion. One of the actions was to introduce a way to record peer reviewers’ identity markers and lived experience – with their consent – so that we can more easily connect experts-by-experience with submissions that talk about issues they may have valuable perspectives on.

What’s in it for reviewers?

As well as contributing to art therapy literature, peer reviewing can also enrich your practice and help develop your career and networks.

Kirstie’s story

I signed up as a peer reviewer because I love reading and writing. I see writing and research as creative processes that offer important self-reflective and growth opportunities.

Being a peer reviewer is like being a supportive, but critical, outsider who can offer a birds-eye view on the work that authors have been so invested in. Peer reviewing is also not a one-sided process, it helps expand my thinking, piques my curiosity, is intellectually stimulating, and I daresay, fun.

Sarah’s story

Being a peer reviewer has lots of benefits. It gives me a front-row seat on the latest developments in art therapy practice, theory and research, before they are published in the journal. It has supported the development of my own research and writing skills, as well as honing my capacity to think about art therapy more objectively.

Becoming a part of the IJAT peer review network helps me feel connected with the international art therapy community and has supported me in developing my CV and career.

Why I cannot be a peer reviewer – and other myths

We both felt some trepidation about putting ourselves forward as peer reviewers, so below we try to bust some myths that might otherwise stop colleagues wanting to get involved!

I’m not an academic

Some IJAT peer reviewers work in universities but this isn’t a requirement. All you need is enthusiasm and curiosity about art therapy, plus a critical but supportive eye that will help authors to improve their work.

I don’t have enough experience

You can start reviewing for IJAT pretty early in your career – you just need three years of post-qualifying experience to be eligible for a one-day peer review training. Once you’ve completed the training, we’ll figure out what kinds of submissions you are best placed to review.

I’m not a BAAT member

If you’re not a member, you can email hello@baat.org to express interest in joining the peer review training.

It’s just too intimidating – what if I get it wrong? 

You are not alone in the process because there is always more than one peer reviewer reading each manuscript. There’s also an ‘associate editor’ who coordinates the review process and keeps everything on track. So, while your voice is very valuable, and informs the final decision, responsibility for feedback to authors and the eventual publication of papers is shared among several people. You can’t get it wrong!

I might not always be available for peer reviewing

If you’re not available for a while, or if you feel you’re not the right person to review a particular manuscript, you can just say no. No repercussions, no strings. Hopefully next time you’ll be invited to review a manuscript that piques your interest and falls at a more convenient time!

I don’t want to cause issues with colleagues or people I know

Peer reviewing at IJAT is anonymised, which means reviewers and authors are not identified to one another. This protects everyone involved and helps ensure that feedback can be offered openly, fairly and in the spirit of learning and development.

I’m not the ‘right kind of person’ to review for IJAT

Yes you are! Sometimes we are too focused on the ‘don’t-haves’ rather than the immense treasure chest we have to offer. Every voice matters, your voice matters, and we really want to hear your perspectives!

How to get involved

The British Association of Art Therapy’s offers a free, one-day peer review training every January for its members. The training helps potential reviewers understand how to write supportive, helpful feedback for IJAT authors.

We look forward to welcoming you to our IJAT peer reviewer community!

Peer review training