[Webinar] Introduction to Peer Review

Peer review is at the heart of academic publishing, but for many early career researchers the process can feel unclear, intimidating, or even exclusionary. This webinar will open up the black box of peer review, offering practical insights into how it works, why it matters, and how to approach it as both an author and a reviewer.

We’ll look at what makes a constructive review, how to position feedback as a “critical friend” rather than “Reviewer 2,” and what editors are really looking for in review reports. Drawing on real-world examples from previous special issues, the session will cover:

• How peer review supports quality, rigour, and dialogue in academic publishing.
• The kinds of questions reviewers should consider (contribution, clarity, argument, evidence, and relevance).
• How to write reviews that are fair, balanced, and supportive.
• How to respond effectively to reviewer feedback as an author.

This webinar is primarily designed to support contributors to the Storyworlds special issue “Having a LARP: Immersion, Liveness, and the Qualities of Experience”. However, we also warmly welcome other Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and experienced researchers who would like to deepen their understanding of the process.

For those who are keen to take a more active role, there will be an opportunity to participate directly in the first stage of the peer review process for the special issue.

About the Facilitator

Dr Roy Hanney is an Associate Professor of Media Practice at Southampton Solent University. His research focuses on storytelling, creative practice, and immersive experiences, with a particular interest in how new narrative forms can reshape our understanding of liveness, audience engagement, and participatory culture.

Roy is an experienced editor and peer reviewer, with a track record of supporting special issues and collaborative publications. He is currently co-editing the Storyworlds special issue “Having a LARP: Immersion, Liveness, and the Qualities of Experience”. Alongside his editorial work, he leads the Evolution of Story symposium series, bringing together academics and practitioners to explore the changing dynamics of story in contemporary culture.

With extensive experience mentoring early career researchers, Roy is committed to opening up academic publishing practices, demystifying peer review, and fostering collaborative, supportive scholarly communities.