Every year, ASHA Journals joins the global scholarly publishing community for Peer Review Week, tackling key issues that publishers face. The theme of this year’s discussion is Peer Review Capacity: Volume, Speed, and Quality.

Journals around the world have seen a recent rise in submissions. In 2025, ASHA’s journals received a record number of submissions, with numbers rising almost 40% from 2020 to 2025. We’re on track to receive an even larger number this year, with 2,000 manuscripts already submitted as of September 1, 2026.

The authors of these manuscripts expect timely decisions and thorough reviews, but the influx of papers may lead to delays when reviewers become overburdened. Read more below to find out how we’re addressing this challenge while promoting responsible AI use and giving early-career researchers an opportunity to grow.

The Role of AI in Peer Review

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has grown rapidly in the past 5 years. Indeed, we use secure and proprietary AI tools at ASHA Journals to help us detect plagiarism and to flag papers that may be missing key components. Although these tools can be useful, using AI responsibly involves recognizing its limitations and remaining vigilant about how these vulnerabilities can affect our peers.

Although authors can use AI to formulate their papers (provided that its use is declared), peer reviewers are still prohibited from using AI. As noted on the ASHA Journals Academy, this guideline ensures that our peer review system keeps subject-matter experts at the forefront while safeguarding the integrity of the peer review process from the following:

  • “Ingestion” (i.e., processing) by AI or by a large language model (LLM)—this practice  violates our guarantee of the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
  • The inclusion of AI- or LLM-generated text within a review—this practice has the potential to reproduce or amplify bias.

Prohibiting the use of generative AI, LLMs, or similar technologies in the conduct of peer review (a) helps us protect copyright and confidentiality and (b) ensures that the process doesn’t leave authors’ data and conclusions open to being collected out of context. In light of these risks, reviewers are now required to attest that they haven’t used AI to analyze a manuscript, draft comments, or assist in their review.

AI tools are extremely popular, and their impact cannot be ignored. However, we all share a responsibility to ensure that this technology is used productively and in collaboration with sound science, ethical principles, and copyright protection.

The Next Generation of Peer Reviewers

To meet growing demand, we must continue to expand the pool of qualified reviewers of articles submitted for publication to ASHA journals. We believe that the best way to help early- and mid-careers sharpen their peer review skills is by having those researchers work with experienced mentors.

Last year, we launched the Article Peer-Review Training (APT) program as a way of providing opportunities and support to recruit reviewers new to peer review and to enhance the skills of newest reviewers. Applications for 2027 are open until October 10, so read more about the APT program online—and be sure to share the application link with any interested colleagues!

How To Get Involved

As the number of submissions are rising, so are the opportunities for CSD professionals like you to contribute to the peer review process! Applications for editorial board members (EBMs) are open until October 10.

If you’re not able to serve as an EBM, please consider lending your expertise as an ad hoc reviewer. Updating your profile on Editorial Manager (ASHA’s online peer review platform) can help ensure that editors find you and match you to manuscripts in your field of expertise. We’ve recently updated our classification list, and you can select from more than 400 specialties to correctly reflect your knowledge and experience.

The Future of Peer Review

As the volume of research continues to grow, our editorial boards must have all the tools they need to continue bringing important resources to more than 245,000 ASHA members, certificate holders, and affiliates. By supporting our peer reviewers, and giving new researchers an opportunity to flourish, we’re taking steps to ensure that ASHA’s journals provide authors with the high-quality content they’ve grown to expect. We hope that you’ll support us as we move forward with our mission!