Reviewer guidelines
We are pleased to share the Reviewer guidelines fot SEFI 2026, which are intended to support a fair, consistent and high-quality peer review process:
Reviewer guidelines SEFI 2026
Planned Review Timeline
| Submissions assigned to reviewers | 15.04.2026 |
| Review deadline | 15.05.2026 |
Workshops for reviewers
Two identical workshops were held on 30 March 2026 and 9 April 2026, both starting at 1 p.m. (CEST). The workshops focused on aligning expectations regarding the Idea Market assessment process, addressing CLEER requirements, introducing the new evaluation category “accepted, minor changes recommended,” and answering all your questions.
Presentation slides are to be found here: SEFI_2026_workshop for reviewers
Recording of the workshop: SEFI_2026_WS_Reviewers_recording
Frequently asked questions: SEFI_2026_Reviewer FAQ
Review criteria
Each submission will be reviewed by at least two reviewers according to the review criteria outlined below. Final decisions will also consider programme constraints, including limits on the number of available presentation slots. In particular, the number of workshops that can be scheduled is restricted due to their extended time requirements.
Review outcomes will lead to one of the following decisions:
- Rejection: Submissions receiving an “unacceptable” rating on any criterion from any reviewer will be rejected. Exception: If the only “unacceptable” rating concerns the presentation criterion, the submission will be conditionally accepted.
- Conditional acceptance: Submissions receiving an “adjustment needed” rating on any criterion from any reviewer will be conditionally accepted.
- Acceptance: Submissions receiving an “accepted” rating on all criteria from all reviewers will be accepted. Minor changes can be recommended but not required.
Review rubrics for reviewers
The practice paper rubric: Rubric Practice Paper_SEFI 2026
The research paper rubric: Rubric Research Paper_SEFI 2026
The workshop rubric: Rubric Workshop_SEFI 2026
The idea market presentation rubric: Rubric Idea Market Presentation_SEFI 2026
Awards
As part of the review process, reviewers have the opportunity to nominate submissions for one of the four Best Paper Awards:
- Best Research Paper
- Best Practice Paper
- Best Student Paper
- Susanne Ihsen Award
Since the Susanne Ihsen Award focuses on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, there is a particular set of criteria for paper nomination and award decision, explore them here.
