ISSN 2951-9853
eISSN: 3134-8742
BECOME AN AJB REVIEWER
The African Journal of Bioethics (AJB) welcomes expressions of interest from researchers, practitioners and scholars who would like to contribute to rigorous, fair and constructive peer review of bioethics scholarship.
About peer review at AJB
Peer review is central to maintaining the quality, integrity and scholarly relevance of the journal. Reviewers provide independent expert assessment of manuscripts and recommendations that support editorial decision-making. Final publication decisions are made by the AJB Editorial Team.
Reviewer pathways
Experienced reviewer.
For applicants with demonstrated subject expertise and sufficient scholarly or professional experience to undertake independent peer review. Peer-reviewed publication and/or previous reviewing experience is normally expected, but relevant professional expertise may also be considered.
Areas of expertise
AJB is interested in reviewers working in, among others, the following areas:
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Research ethics and research governance
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Clinical ethics
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Public and global health ethics
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Health systems and health policy ethics
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Reproductive, maternal and child health ethics
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Genetics, genomics and precision medicine
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Artificial intelligence, digital health and data ethics
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Emerging technologies and innovation
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Environmental, climate and planetary health ethics
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Human rights, law and bioethics
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Gender, sexuality and bioethics
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Ethics involving vulnerable or marginalised populations
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Community engagement and participatory research
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African philosophies, Indigenous knowledge and bioethics
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Philosophy and theory of bioethics
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Ethics education and capacity strengthening
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Other relevant areas of bioethics
Apprentice reviewer
For postgraduate students, early-career researchers and other emerging scholars with relevant subject knowledge but limited peer-review experience. AJB accepts a limited number of apprentice reviewers, and appropriate support with an experienced reviewer will be arranged before an apprentice reviewer is assigned a manuscript.
What AJB reviewers are expected to do
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Assess manuscripts fairly, independently and constructively.
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Consider the ethical, conceptual, methodological and contextual issues relevant to the manuscript type.
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Provide clear and respectful feedback to authors and recommendations to editors.
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Complete accepted reviews within the agreed review period.
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Maintain manuscript confidentiality and declare any actual or potential conflict of interest before reviewing.
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Follow AJB peer-review policies and ethical requirements provided with review assignments
Recognition and professional development
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Certificate of appreciation for completed reviewing contributions.
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Acknowledgement on the AJB website or reviewer list, where appropriate and with the reviewer's consent.
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Opportunities to contribute to AJB's scholarly community and strengthen peer-review experience.
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For accepted apprentice reviewers, supported review experience with an experienced reviewer.
How the application process works
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Submit the short Expression of Interest (EOI).
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AJB screens EOIs for relevant expertise, experience and alignment with current or anticipated reviewer needs.
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Applicants who appear to be a suitable match are invited to complete the Detailed Reviewer Application and submit a current CV.
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The Editorial Team assesses the detailed application and determines the most appropriate outcome, including experienced reviewer, apprentice reviewer, future-needs list, or no progression at that time.
Submission of an EOI or detailed application does not guarantee appointment or an immediate review assignment. Manuscript matching depends on subject fit, language, availability, conflict-of-interest considerations and editorial need.
Expressions of interest remain open throughout the year. AJB reviews new EOIs periodically and contacts applicants whose expertise aligns with current or anticipated reviewer needs.
Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Reviewers must treat manuscripts and related review materials as confidential, disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest, and comply with AJB peer-review policies and ethical requirements. Reviewers should not use confidential manuscript content for personal, professional or research advantage.
Reviewer Information and Privacy Notice
Information provided through the EOI and detailed application is used only for reviewer recruitment, selection, manuscript matching and reviewer administration. AJB retains this information for as long as you remain an active or prospective reviewer, or as required for our records. You may request access to, correction of, or removal of your information at any time by contacting ajb@africanjournalofbioethics.org.
Deadline : August 28, 2026
Questions: ajb@africanjournalofbioethics.org | Subject: AJB Peer Reviewer Programme