Skip to content

How many reviews close the judging criterion?

Key answer

Two reviews in two journals look thin to members, who aim for ten or more per journal, but duration and quality matter more than count: judging must be an evaluation of peers or of those above you. Judging includes reviewing papers and also invitations to evaluate projects, works and professional materials. For in-company programs you need written rules for selecting experts, proof of the judging itself (voting screenshots, an extract from the minutes) and peers as the judged. Job interviews are not judging. Members advise not to file without this criterion - strengthen it first.

Community answers

The answers below are translated from the original Russian - the language of the community chats.

  • Two journals is good, but two reviews are a bit lacking; you need more. I would aim for about ten reviews for each journal. It's hard to say exactly how many reviews will count; it seems to me that it's not even about the quantity, but how long you have been reviewing and how systematic it is.

  • There should be a letter or written rules for selecting experts: that the jury includes talents with achievements, not just staff based on position or experience. It's necessary to confirm the fact of judging - screenshots of your voting or an excerpt from the protocol. And you should judge equals, not newcomers.

  • It's better to find ways to enhance this criterion; I do not recommend submitting a case without it. Judging includes not only reviewing articles but also being invited to be an expert to assess the work of others: for example, when a scholar is involved in evaluating projects, research, or professional materials.

  • In the context of job interviews, I was told that conducting interviews is also part of the job, regardless of whether it is considered a direct responsibility. I don't think this qualifies as judging; you are evaluating candidates below yourself in the scope of your functions.

  • Judging is evaluating peers or those who are more advanced. I am not sure that commenting on others' texts fits under this. A monograph will be considered a contribution if you can prove its influence: for example, that it is used in educational courses, is available in a large number of libraries, has a large print run, or has influenced the field. The presence of a monograph alone as a contribution will not be counted.

The answers are anonymized community experience from the public chats, not legal advice. Officers may decide similar cases differently.

Why "Judging" gets refused

Accepted in 59% of challenged petitions (130 of 219); not an approval rate.

Actual participation in judging is not evidenced. An invitation, a name on a jury page or an acceptance is not proof: the officer wants traces of the work itself.

All refusal grounds and the sample

Sources

All questions on: JudgingAll questions on: ScientistsAll questions on: EB-1AAll questions on: O-1 visa

Related on this site

Similar questions

A reference page built from community experience, not legal advice. Requirements and practice change - verify on uscis.gov.

Did this answer help?