Case Study: Enhancing Peer Review

Project Title: Enhancing Peer Review

Client: NIH Office of the Director

Project Duration: September 2008 to January 2011

Ripple Effect Contact: Jennifer Pohlhaus, jpohlhaus@rippleeffect.com

Challenge

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a longstanding history of supporting the most promising and meritorious research, but the increasing breadth, complexity, and interdisciplinary nature of modern research necessitated a formal review of the NIH peer review system.  In September 2008, the NIH began implementing proposed recommendations to enhance the peer review system.

The Peer Review Implementation Oversight Committee oversaw implementation of the final peer review recommendations and informed and advised the NIH Director and the NIH Steering Committee on the integration of the recommendations into the NIH peer review system.  Three Subgroups plus a Communications Committee were created to oversee and assure completion of the recommended actions and enhancements to the peer review system.

Our challenge was to coordinate and support this complex trans-NIH effort between all the Subgroups and the Committees.

Solution

We addressed this challenge by becoming integral members of the subgroups and raising cross-cutting issues with the “Integrator” to ensure they were addressed.

Ripple Effect provided meeting logistics support; developed of agendas, presentations, briefing documents, and a project plan for each committee; drafted and edited implementation documents and diagrams; coordinated distribution and review of documents; maintained a central repository of agenda, meeting materials, and implementation documents; created informational videos for the public; and prepared update reports, briefing documents, and decision memos.

Ripple Effect also provided policy coordination, and assistance with policy development and analysis.

Achievements

• Created and maintained an Enhancing Peer Review website for the public and NIH staff
• Created and maintained a centralized SharePoint site for staff communication
• Created and maintained a database of reviewer volunteers in response to NOT-OD-10-089
• Drafted and edited numerous official Policy Announcements
• Wrote and produced three Informational Videos for the extramural community
• Drafted dozens of Press Releases, One-Page Updates, PowerPoint Presentations, NIH Extramural Nexus articles, and  Resources for Reviewers
• Created NIH Staff only resources, including policy guidance, informational articles, and staff trainings.
• Four Ripple Effect staff members received the prestigious NIH Director’s Award in 2009 for their accomplishments in the Enhancing Peer Review effort