Toward a More Inclusive Proposal Review Process: Outcomes from the ALMA Cycle 8 Review

ALMA introduced a number of changes to the proposal process in Cycle 8 2021, including the adoption of dual anonymous practices for all proposals (in which neither the reviewer nor proposing team know the identity of the other), and distributed peer review (in which each proposing team provides a reviewer for ten other submitted proposals). Overall, 1735 proposals were reviewed – 1497 of which were reviewed using distributed peer review – and the top ranked proposals populated the observing queue for Cycle 8, which began in October 2021. In this talk, we will summarize the changes made to the proposal review process and the results of the distributed peer review process. We will also present overviews of the extensive analyses performed on the final submitted ranks and review comments, as well as surveys of the process participants, and we will describe the effect the process had on existing systematic trends apparent over the last several proposing Cycles.

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.