I understand that journals are desperate for reviewers right now. But since Friday I’ve had five requests & two have already chased me. Here’s a reminder of my tips to getting me to accept your request: (1/7)
Ping @AcademicChatter

Include the abstract and the authors names in the email. I need to know if I’m conflicted and I don’t want to have to accept the review to find that out cause you’ve only sent the title (2/7)

Give me one week before you chase. Find a way for your systems to recognise out of offices so I don’t return to multiple requests about one paper and emails saying my out of office wasn’t received by your automated email account (3/7)

Just cause the title contains neonatal or paediatric does not mean I have the expertise to review it! Particularly please stop sending me medical images, I have no clue (4/7)

Offer me more than a fortnight, be polite and grateful if I suggest a different time frame. Support me if I say I want to mentor a junior colleague in doing the review (everyone has to start somewhere!) (5/7)

If I say no, do not immediately send me another review request. Do not ask me to guest edit your journal. Do not pressurise me into some other request you have. I hate to say no repeatedly. Give me a little space then ask again about future papers in the next few months (6/7)

More than anything, just be kind, were all exhausted. My own research has to be my priority. On average I will do one review for each paper I submit (I try to offer balance to the research world!). I select the reviews I feel I can offer the most. (7/7)