It's time peer reviewers got some love

Reviewers facing adversity, concept illustration

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Proper recognition of the vital role referees play is overdue

Science’s unsung heroes – the reviewers – are finally getting a bit of recognition (even the dreaded reviewer number three!). The dedicated researchers that spend their evenings and weekends reviewing manuscripts are highlighted in a report looking at the state of peer review. The report found that the system is under pressure like never before and that the reviewers – the backbone of this system – are not getting the credit they so richly deserve.