It hurts to *regularly* have to decline journal requests to peer review fascinating research on gender & drug policy. But as someone who isn't currently employed in a secure long-term academic post, working for free just isn't an option any longer #payreviewers #AcademicTwitter

I have just declined peer reviewing what looked like a bad-ass and important piece of research that exactly matched my own research interests from a high-caliber journal in the substance use field. I shouldn't have to do this - how do people find the time?

Mind you, I get at least one or more requests a month to peer review from multiple journals. I sometimes say yes, but if I were to accept all requests, it would essentially add up to an unpaid part-time job taking up a substantial time, energy and intellectual capital

*substantial amount of

In the past I've been paid by donors & intl orgs to review grant proposals + research reports. The amount paid need not be equivalent to a daily consultancy rate, but a reasonable honorarium to have an expert provide thoughtful feedback makes sense for all parties involved

This would allow me to schedule in time to give a paper the attention it deserves & avoid accumulating an unmanageable burden of (unpaid/ underpaid) work. Allocated time + more nuanced feedback from reviewers who aren't fatigued and overworked = better quality published research.